A Delhi court has directed the verification of medical documents submitted by Barkha Singh, the complainant in the corruption case against former Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Swati Maliwal. Singh’s counsel sought an exemption from her court appearance, citing health issues.
The case centers on alleged recruitment irregularities during Maliwal’s tenure at the DCW. Maliwal, along with co-accused Promila Gupta, Sarika Chaudhary, and Farheen Malik, participated in the proceedings via video conferencing. Advocate Sanjay Gupta represented Maliwal in court.
Special Judge Jitendra Singh instructed the investigating officer to verify the medical documents provided by Singh’s counsel, who claimed that Singh is bedridden and unable to testify. When the court inquired about the possibility of a video conference appearance, the counsel stated that this was also unfeasible, noting that Singh has been advised to undergo surgery.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for March 19 to record testimonies from other prosecution witnesses. Judge Singh emphasized the necessity of Singh’s testimony, highlighting her role as the complainant and her repeated requests for exemptions from court appearances.
This legal proceeding follows the Delhi High Court’s decision on September 20, 2024, which dismissed appeals challenging the charges against Maliwal and her co-accused. The allegations pertain to irregularities in recruitment processes during Maliwal’s leadership at the DCW.
Barkha Singh previously served as the chairperson of the DCW during the Congress government’s tenure. The current case underscores the ongoing legal scrutiny surrounding the commission’s operations during Maliwal’s period in office.
The court’s directive to verify Singh’s medical condition aims to ensure the integrity of the judicial process while accommodating genuine health concerns. As the case progresses, the testimonies of key individuals, including the complainant, are crucial to the adjudication of the alleged corruption and recruitment anomalies within the DCW.
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