(Image source from: Anti-Corruption of Delhi government’s purview – a big blow to Kejriwal})

The Delhi government led by AamAadmi Party (AAP), is chief minister ArvindKejriwal is staring at a bigger loss, during his tussle with the Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung. As per the latest notification by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Anti-Corruption Branch of the Delhi government has been barred from registering any cases against the officers and political leaders of the central government. This effectively puts ACB under the control of the L-G.

“The ACB is a small offshoot of the NCT and it can book cases only against Delhi officials and not against officials of central government or officials of state government. That is why the central government issued the notification as a clarification. The Delhi government can’t use this tool to book central government officials, central ministers or corporate leaders belonging to other states on anti-corruption charges. Its jurisdiction is limited to Delhi alone,” S K Sharma, former secretary of Delhi Assembly, said.

“Citing the MHA notification, the L-G in his next move may also take control of the ACB, justifying that he being a representative of the President of India and administrator of the Government of the NCT of Delhi, has full control over law & order and police, and this anti-corruption body is a part of Delhi Police,"a senior government official said.

By Premji