AAP-LG tussle continues: ACB outside the purview of Lt Governor, says AAP

New Delhi, Jun 2: Aam Aadmi Party today hit out at Lt Governor Najeeb Jung for questioning Delhi government's move to induct five police officers from Bihar in its elite Anti Corruption Branch, saying it was "outside his purview".

The party alleged that the entire central government machinery was working towards weakening the ACB and wondered the rationale behind such "interferences". Only the corrupt will be "scared" by any move to strengthen the anti-graft wing, it said.

"Anti-corruption branch falls outside the purview of Lt Governor. This morning we had this amusing statement from the

wherein he stated that the ACB falls under his jurisdiction.

"It seems tomorrow if (US president Barack) Obama is to probe something he would have to take the Delhi LG's permission. And this comes after the Delhi HC's order and the Delhi Assembly's resolution displaying the will of the people," AAP leader Ashutosh said, mocking the LG's stand.

Three inspectors and two sub-inspectors of Bihar Police have joined Delhi government's ACB following a request in this regard by the AAP government to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's office.

Terming LG's move as "violation" of constitutional principles, Ashutosh accused Jung of "obeying" the Union Home Ministry's orders to "save his post".

"Why would anyone be scared of a strengthened ACB? Wonder who would gain from this. I would humbly urge the LG not to reduce his post into a joke. The whole central machinery is working to weaken our fight against corruption," he added.

Earlier, Jung's office virtually rejected the appointment of the five police officials from Bihar and reaffirmed that the ACB functions under his direct authority and control.

"ACB Delhi, 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 No 1368 (E), dated 21st May 2015," an LG office statement said.

PTI