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The Delhi government and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) are headed for another tussle over a fresh gazette notification issued by the MHA on the powers of the government’s anti-corruption branch (ACB). It reiterates that Central government employees are out of the jurisdiction of the ACB.
Despite the Centre issuing this order earlier, the officer on special duty (OSD) to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had issued an order to the then Additional Commissioner of Police (ACB) P C Hota asking him to take action against everyone “irrespective of the government department”.
Sources said this was the reason why Hota had stepped down as ACB head. “Hota argued with the CM and deputy CM on the validity of the order. He even asked them to reconsider it and take the matter step-by-step to ensure that corruption is eradicated. But his suggestions were taken otherwise and he was made to step down,” a highly placed official said.
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In a letter dated April 9, the then Secretary (Vigilance) Sukesh Kumar Jain issued an order to Hota asking him to investigate all officials.
“ACB has jurisdiction to receive and act upon any complaint of corruption in the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
Therefore, ACB is directed to receive, investigate and act on all such cases irrespective of which government or department the accused is working in. This is issued with the approval of Manish Sisodia who is also Vigilance Minister,” the order stated. Sources said Jain issued the order after the chief secretary expressed reservations.
Majumdar gets his office back
After L-G Najeeb Jung ordered that Principal Secretary (Services) Anindo Majumdar be reinstated, he got his office back on Friday. The L-G also stayed all transfers and postings until further orders. Majumdar was caught in the crossfire in the ongoing tussle between Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the L-G on Saturday when he was removed from his post by the CM. The government had removed Majumdar from his post and locked his office after he issued orders appointing Shakuntala Gamlin as officiating chief secretary. ENS