Did Kejriwal Misuse Government Funds to Buy Mobile Phones Worth Up to ₹1.63 Lakh?
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Synopsis
Delhi's Education Minister Ashish Sood has accused the former AAP government, led by Arvind Kejriwal, of misusing public funds for extravagant mobile phone purchases. Sood provided evidence of multiple high-value acquisitions, questioning the integrity of the previous administration's spending practices. This revelation raises serious concerns about the accountability of public officials.
Key Takeaways
- Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal allegedly misused public funds for mobile phones.
- The official spending limit was exceeded multiple times by government officials.
- High-end phones were purchased during critical periods, including the pandemic.
- Requests were made to relax spending limits after purchases were completed.
- Accountability of public officials is crucial for maintaining public trust.
New Delhi, July 17 (NationPress) Criticizing the hypocrisy surrounding spending cuts, Delhi's Education Minister Ashish Sood recently targeted the former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration and its ex-Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for their extravagant use of public funds to purchase luxury mobile phones priced up to ₹1.63 lakh.
During a press briefing, Sood highlighted that the AAP government had exceeded the official spending limit for mobile devices assigned to the Chief Minister and other officials.
In 2013, regulations stipulated that the Chief Minister could acquire a mobile phone worth ₹50,000, while other ministers were allowed a maximum of ₹45,000.
“Nonetheless, AAP leaders acquired phones that surpassed these limits for personal use and pressured government employees to cover the costs. Now they are blaming the BJP government for allegedly authorizing the purchase of costly phones for Ministers,” he remarked.
Sood elaborated on the extravagant purchases made by four prominent figures from the prior administration: Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Atishi, and Saurabh Bharadwaj. He explained how, despite an official cap, these leaders opted for high-end devices and pressured officials to utilize taxpayer money to settle the bills.
The Delhi Minister noted that a mobile phone is essential for public representatives, serving as a mobile office. “However, rules and regulations must be adhered to,” he asserted.
He detailed that Kejriwal had acquired four mobile devices from the Delhi government between 2015 and 2022. His first acquisition, an iPhone 6s Plus, was bought on December 1, 2015, for ₹81,000—well above the ₹50,000 limit.
The second device, an iPhone 7 Plus, was procured on September 12, 2017, for ₹69,000. The third, an iPhone 12 Pro Max, was purchased during the COVID-19 pandemic on December 4, 2020, for ₹1,39,900.
The final acquisition, an iPhone 13 Pro Max, was taken on July 13, 2022, costing ₹1,63,900.
“Despite the official limit being ₹50,000, these devices vastly exceeded the threshold,” stated Sood.
He further indicated that a government official had noted that the spending on the iPhone was excessive.
Moreover, he pointed out that the Chief Minister's office had issued correspondence regarding these phones, indicating, “The amount spent is significantly above the prescribed limit for purchasing a phone for the Chief Minister. It is believed that a relaxation beyond the set limit was requested for these purchases.”
Essentially, requests were made to override the ₹50,000 purchase limit to authorize these high-end devices, he explained.
Sood also noted that former minister Manish Sisodia bought a Samsung Galaxy S8 with accessories on July 11, 2017, for ₹59,899. In 2018, he purchased another Samsung S8 for ₹49,000.
In 2019, he made another acquisition, including accessories, for ₹1.12 lakh. In 2021, he bought an iPhone 12 Pro Max for ₹1.66 lakh, and on October 11, 2022, he purchased an iPhone 13 Pro Max for ₹1.37 lakh.
Sood emphasized a concerning trend: a phone was bought in 2017, again in 2018, and again in 2019. “They missed 2020, but resumed purchases in 2021 and 2022,” he noted, highlighting that these expenses escalated, even during the critical pandemic period.
During the pandemic, Kejriwal procured phones costing ₹1.40 lakh and ₹1.64 lakh, while Sisodia bought devices priced at ₹1,66,700 and ₹1.37 lakh. As ministers, their authorized spending limit was merely ₹45,000 each, Sood remarked.
The Education Minister pointed out that they even sought ex-post facto approval—requesting retroactive permission after purchases were already made.
Point of View
It is critical to maintain a balanced perspective on the allegations against the former AAP government. While the accusations raised by Ashish Sood are serious, they warrant thorough investigation and scrutiny. Transparency and accountability are fundamental to governance, and it is essential that all public officials adhere to established financial regulations to uphold the trust of the citizens.
NationPress
19/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the allegations against Kejriwal?
Delhi's Education Minister Ashish Sood has accused Arvind Kejriwal of using government funds to purchase mobile phones worth up to ₹1.63 lakh, significantly exceeding the official spending limits.
What was the official limit for mobile phone purchases?
The official limit for the Chief Minister was ₹50,000, while ministers were allowed to spend up to ₹45,000 on mobile phones.
What specific mobile phones were purchased?
Kejriwal was reported to have purchased an iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 12 Pro Max, and iPhone 13 Pro Max, all exceeding the official limit.
Did the previous government seek approval for these purchases?
Yes, it has been indicated that requests were made to relax the spending limits after the purchases had already been made.
What is the significance of these allegations?
These allegations raise questions about the accountability and financial integrity of public officials, emphasizing the necessity for strict adherence to spending regulations.
