CAG Report Leak: Who Leaked Reports to Tip the Scales in BJP's Favour?

CAG Report Leak: Who is Leaking Reports to Tip the Scales in BJP's Favour in the Delhi Elections?

On January 6, 2025, a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report was leaked. The report detailed irregularities in the renovation of the office and residence of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Along with the leaked report came further allegations about how the Delhi government has been withholding the tabling of nearly a dozen CAG reports related to it. 

Just when the controversy surrounding the earlier leaked CAG report seemed to die down, the AAP faced another blow. On January 11, 2025, yet another CAG report surfaced, this time focusing on the Delhi government's excise policy. The report alleged that the AAP-led administration's policy had caused a staggering loss of over ₹2,026 crore to the exchequer, adding further fuel to the fire. What is striking about these leaks is their strategic timing, particularly with the Delhi elections looming. The first leak provided ample ammunition for the BJP to target the AAP, and now, with this second leak, the Aam Aadmi Party finds itself further embroiled in political turmoil.

CAG Report Leak: Who is Leaking Reports to Tip the Scales in BJP's Favour in the Delhi Elections?

On January 6, 2025, a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report was leaked. The report detailed irregularities in the renovation of the office and residence of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Along with the leaked report came further allegations about how the Delhi government has been withholding the tabling of nearly a dozen CAG reports related to it. 

Just when the controversy surrounding the earlier leaked CAG report seemed to die down, the AAP faced another blow. On January 11, 2025, yet another CAG report surfaced, this time focusing on the Delhi government's excise policy. The report alleged that the AAP-led administration's policy had caused a staggering loss of over ₹2,026 crore to the exchequer, adding further fuel to the fire. What is striking about these leaks is their strategic timing, particularly with the Delhi elections looming. The first leak provided ample ammunition for the BJP to target the AAP, and now, with this second leak, the Aam Aadmi Party finds itself further embroiled in political turmoil.

While the content of the leaked CAG report is undoubtedly serious and has been duly covered by the mainstream media, the real issue at hand lies in how these reports are consistently finding their way into the hands of BJP leaders and media outlets, just ahead of the Delhi elections. According to established rules, CAG reports are privileged documents intended for review by Parliament or State Legislative Assemblies first. 

According to constitutional provisions: “The reports of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India relating to the accounts of the Union shall be submitted to the President, who shall cause them to be laid before each House of Parliament. The reports of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India relating to the accounts of a State shall be submitted to the Governor of the State, who shall cause them to be laid before the Legislature of the State.”

Yet, what is unfolding seems to defy this procedure. Senior CAG officials are expressing their dismay at the leaks, describing them as an abuse of institutional trust. It’s clear that while the Delhi government’s failure to table these critical reports is a matter of concern, the BJP’s apparent exploitation of these leaks for political mileage raises deeper questions. Could the BJP itself be behind these strategic leaks, using them to undermine the AAP just days before the elections? It is equally troubling that the media, rather than questioning the propriety of these leaks, seems to celebrate them, further enabling political parties to exploit these leaks for their benefit. As the voting day on February 5 approaches, it’s alarming to witness how the CAG office is being manipulated as a political tool, undermining its credibility and the integrity of the electoral process.

Politicians may engage in the game of politicking and journalists have a duty to report these stories, whether they like it or not. However, the manner in which these issues are reported and whether the right questions are being asked is an entirely different matter. That said, what about the CAG? As a constitutional body, the CAG must remain impartial and cannot afford to be influenced by politicians or political parties. If CAG reports—privileged documents meant for the review of Parliament and State Legislatures—are being leaked to political parties for electoral gain, then the integrity of the CAG office itself is under question.

It is deeply troubling that certain officials within the CAG appear to be playing into the political hands of the ruling party, sacrificing their duty to the Constitution for personal career advancement. This not only compromises the credibility of the institution but also undermines the hard work of countless officials who have dedicated themselves to auditing government accounts with integrity.

The continuous erosion of the CAG's credibility, as evidenced by numerous investigative stories by The Probe, calls for urgent accountability. Read our investigative series on CAG here, here, here, and here. 

The office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India must answer critical questions: Who is behind the CAG report leaks? Has an inquiry been launched to investigate the breach of constitutional provisions? If the office of the CAG continues down this path, it risks sinking even lower in the public’s esteem—something that should be unthinkable for a body meant to serve the Constitution and the people of India.