New Delhi: Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on Monday night appointed a joint commissioner of Delhi Police as the head of Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) and seeks to stamp his authority and triggered a strong reaction from the Aam Aadmi Party-led government of Delhi.
Days after AAP government inducted five policemen from Bihar in ACB, LG transferred seven inspectors of Delhi Police to the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB).
Meanwhile Jung had appointed Joint Commissioner MK Meena as the chief of the ACB which was till now headed by SS Yadav.
The inspectors who have been transferred to ACB are Braj Mohan, Kumar Kant Mishra, Vivekanand Jha, Rajkumar, Rajendra Prasad, Ricchpal Singh Meena and Puran Chand.
Meena is currently serving as Joint Commissioner of New Delhi range and the LG’s order said he has been given additional charge of ACB.
Notify that a turf war had taken place in between Jung and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal which had been seen on a number of issues including authority over ACB.
The AAP government last week had appointed three inspectors and two sub-inspectors of Bihar Police to the ACB. In a strong reaction to the decision, Jung’s office had rejected the appointments.
On its part, the AAP government had justified the move and made a stinging attack on the Lt Governor and the Centre while asserting that it has “full power” to hire officials for the ACB.
Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia had slammed LG Jung for creating a new post of joint commissioner and questioned all the appointments.
“What is behind the conspiracy to create a new post of joint commissioner and appoint your own officer?”
Sisodia tweeted, “Has it been done due to fear that ACB will probe the CNG fitness scam.”
Sisodia also alleged that the officer appointed by the LG to head the ACB had tried to “trap” him by trying to make suicide of a farmer in rally in Jantar Mantar in April as a murder.
It is earlier noted that an Additional Commissioner-level officer used to head ACB but the LG has elevated the rank of head of the probe agency from Additional Commissioner to Joint Commissioner.
Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said, “Government has posted one Joint Commissioner and seven inspectors to augment the resources as per the agenda of the government. More officers will be posted in the ACB in due course of time to fight corruption.”
It had been notable that ACB had decided on Saturday to “reinvestigate” the alleged 2002 CNG fitness scam of Rs 100 crore in which three top officials of Sheila Dikshit government were under scanner.
The AAP also attacked the LG for appointing a new chief and said the “appointment is fit case of contempt of court.”
AAP leader Ashutosh tweeted, “LG’s appointment is fit case of contempt of court. Delhi HC categorically said ACB is under Delhi Government and not under LG. LG cannot appoint anyone.”
In another tweet, Ashutosh alleged, “LG’s step proves that he has indulged in inappropriate action in CNG case and now he is desperate to save himself.”
Bureau Report
Leave a Reply