Kejri, LG bonhomie ends again

ACB's Meena blocking probes, CM tells Jung

The brief bonhomie between Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung ended on Wednesday with the CM dashing off an angry letter to Raj Niwas over Anti-Corruption Branch Joint Commissioner Mukesh Kumar Meena.

The Chief Minister accused Meena, a 1989-batch Indian Police Service officer who was appointed by LG against Kejriwal’s wish, of creating hurdles in investigation in key cases, sources said.

The letter by Kejriwal over Meena proved that the growing warmth between Jung and the Chief Minister, as reflected by the selection of a consensual candidate for the post of Home Secretary a couple of days ago, was short-lived.

Kejriwal, in his letter, slammed Meena for defying orders of the Vigilance Department. On June 30, the AAP government had curtailed Meena’s powers, asking him to only look after training work and monitor cases undergoing trial. However, the LG-appointed ACB allegedly refused to comply with the directions of the Vigilance Department.

Vigilance Director Sukesh Kumar Jain had told Meena that till the time the Delhi High Court decides the validity of the police officer’s appointment, he should look after training work in the ACB and monitor court cases.

Jain said ACB’s Additional Commissioner S S Yadav, who is Kejriwal’s pick for heading the anti-graft agency, shall report directly to him and will supervise the work of DCPs, ACPs, inspectors and SHO of police station of ACB besides supervising all investigations, inquiries and other functions of ACB and its police station.

The High Court last month refused to restrain Meena from entering office of the ACB as sought by the Delhi government.

Meena took charge of the ACB on June 8 after he was appointed by Jung. The AAP government termed the appointment “illegal” and claimed that there was no post of joint commissioner in the ACB.

Other than the calls received by the 1031 anti-corruption helpline, the ACB has received 77 complaints between February 10 and June 22. Some complaints which were not related to corruption were referred to the Chief Vigilance Officer and departments concerned.