Fresh tussle in Delhi? ACB chief Meena launches new helpline; Kejriwal Govt overrules

New Delhi, July 24: Terming the anti-corruption helpline number launched by AAP government as "waste of public money", Delhi ACB chief M K Meena today launched a new helpline, a move which was quickly overruled by the state government which said that its helpline, '1031' "stands".

Meena, whose appointment as the ACB chief by the Lt Governor was rejected by the AAP government, appealed to people to report cases of corruption on the new number, operational from ACB's office.

"We have launched 24x7 helpline numbers (011-23812905 and 011-23812906) which will be operated by police personnel deployed at ACB from its office.

"I also request citizens of this city, if they find any Delhi government employee taking bribe or involved in corruption case then they can directly report to us. We will take immediate action, and as police personnel are directly handling these calls, quick action under the law will be taken," Meena told PTI.

The move came a day after the officer accused the AAP government of not transferring calls received on 1031 to the agency for further action.

However Delhi government claimed that Meena is not the ACB chief and is assigned to handle training and monitoring of under-trial cases.

"SS Yadav, IPS, is the Chief of ACB. Any decision regarding the ACB as its chief is to be taken by Yadav only," the government said in its statement.

It claimed that Meena was posted as ACB chief in an illegal manner at the behest of Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) to scuttle the anti-corruption drive of the Delhi government.

Meena's decision to start new anti-corruption helpline is a sheer case of impersonation against which government will take action, the statement said.

"The anti-corruption helpline 1031 stands as the helpline for all anti-corruption complaints in Delhi. No other helpline is working for this purpose.

"Any attempt to send out confusing statements on the anti-corruption helpline 1031 and statement on issuing new helpline numbers would be dealt with legally," the government said.

PTI