Delhi HC refuses to remove L-G appointed ACB chief, M.K. Meena
M.K. Meena
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday asked Anti-Corruption Branch chief M.K. Meena, who was appointed by lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung, to “act in accordance with the law”, but refused to issue directions to restrain him from entering office as sought by the Delhi government.
The court also declined the Delhi government’s pleas to stop Mr Meena from removing the FIR book from the ACB headquarters, recording new FIRs and seeking the immediate removal of paramilitary personnel posted there.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for the Aam Aadmi Party government, sought directions to restrain Mr Meena from allegedly pressuring ACB officials but the court directed Mr Meena to act in “accordance with the law”, while asking if the ACB would function “smoothly” if he was restrained from entering the ACB office.
It also issued notice to the Centre directing it to file its response within two weeks and listed the application for further hearing on August 11 along with the litigation challenging the Centre’s notification giving Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung absolute powers to appoint bureaucrats in the national capital.
The court was hearing the Delhi government’s plea which alleged that Mr Meena was “misusing his powers to browbeat and threaten officials of the ACB and vigilance department”, after the AAP government-nominated ACB chief S.S. Yadav accused Mr Meena of threatening and pressuring him.
“On numerous occasions he (Meena) has put pressure on ACB officers to transfer all cases of corruption involving police personnel from the ACB to the Delhi police,” Ms Jaising alleged.
Ms Jaising also sought an interim order saying “it was an emergent situation, not an urgent” situation, to ensure that the ACB is allowed to function smoothly. She also alleged that the “Centre has been repeatedly attempting to interfere with the smooth functioning of the ACB.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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