Another AAP-Jung feud? LG objects to appointment of Bihar cops in Delhi's ACB

New Delhi, Jun 2: In what could be termed as yet another another round of turf war brewing between AAP government and Najeeb Jung, the Delhi LG has objected to the Delhi government's decision of hiring police officers from Bihar in the Anti-Corruption Branch.

Three inspectors and two sub-inspectors of Bihar Police have joined Delhi government's ACB after a request in this regard was sent by the AAP government to which Delhi's Lieutenant Governor has claimed any such move will need his prior sanction.

The appointments come at a time when the Kejriwal government and the LG are already locked in a bitter turf war.

Reacting strongly to the move, the LG's office said in a statement, "The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) Delhi...functions under the authority, control and supervision of the Lt Governor, a position that has also been clarified by Ministry of Home Affairs".

It also stated that the office of the Lt Governor has so far not received any proposal for the deputation of Bihar Police personnel from outside Delhi Police.

"This refers to a news item published in a couple of dailies today about reported posting of police officials from Bihar in Delhi's ACB. The ACB, being a police station, functions under the authority, control and supervision of the Lt Governor, a position that has also been clarified by the Ministry of Home Affairs, vide notification number 1368 (E), on May 21," statement from the LG Office further said.

"The office of the Lt Governor has so far not received any proposal for the deputation of such personnel from outside Delhi Police. The matter will be duly examined as and when the Lt Governor receives the formal proposal from the Vigilance department of Delhi government," LG office also said.

A request for the Bihar Police officers was recently sent by Delhi government, following which the five officers were dispatched.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, the BJP took potshots at Delhi and Bihar governments over sending of personnel on deputation to Anti Corruption Branch here, saying it was a "joke" as the Nitish Kumar government has itself "failed" to act against the corrupt.

The party also claimed that such a decision cannot be made without the sanction of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and that AAP has acquired a habit of finding new controversies.

"I feel that Arvind Kejriwal and his party, instead of working for the development of the city, have gotten into the habit of finding new controversies every day. Right now, the courts are still deliberating on under whose jurisdiction the Anti-Corruption Bureau shall come. Has he kept the Home Ministry or the LG in confidence while making the decision?" BJP leader Harish Khurana was quoted by ANI as saying.

Defending his government's decision Delhi's deputy CM Manish Sisodia once again accused Najeeb Jung of acting hand-in-glove with the Modi Government at Centre.

"Delhi Govt and ACB have complete power to appoint police officers from anywhere across country. Central Government has made it a joke and LG is working as per its direction," Manish Sisodia.

The AAP government and the Lt Governor have been involved in a public spat over his powers vis-a-vis an elected government. The Centre had on May 21 issued a notification siding with the Lt Governor.

OneIndia News