New Delhi

A Delhi court on Thursday framed corruption and criminal conspiracy charges against Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Swati Maliwal and three others.

They have been alleged to have misused their official position and gaining monetary benefits by illegally appointing people, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers, in the women rights body.

The case was registered after BJP leader and former chairperson of DCW Barkha Shukla Singh filed a complaint to Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in 2016.

Initially, an inquiry took place on the basis of the filed complaint and an FIR was registered later.

Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh of Rouse Avenue Court framed charges against Maliwal, Promila Gupta, Sarika Chaudhary and Farheen Malick for criminal conspiracy.

It has been claimed by the prosecution that by appointing AAP workers and acquaintances to different posts of DCW without following due process, it has violated the legitimate right of deserving candidates.

Between August 6, 2015, and August 1, 2016, 87 appointments - at least 20 persons were associated with AAP - were made in DCW out of which 71 persons were appointed on a contractual basis and 16 persons were appointed for 'Dial 181', the prosecution claimed.

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The court said that the prima facie charges under section 13(1)(d) of PC Act would still be made out against the accused persons as it receives funds from the government even if assuming that DCW is an autonomous body.