Delhi High Court judgement 'huge embarrassment' for Centre: Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi, May 25: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said the Delhi High Court judgement that his government's Anti-Corruption Branch has the jurisdiction to arrest policemen is a "huge embarrassment" for the Centre.

Earlier, the Home Ministry in a notification had barred the ACB from registering any case against officers and political functionaries of the central government.

"Today's High Court judgement (is) a huge embarrassment for central government. HC also said that the latest 21st May MHA notification is 'suspect'," Kejriwal said in a tweet.

The Delhi High Court held that the ACB has the jurisdiction to arrest policemen, while dismissing bail application of a head constable who was arrested by the ACB in a corruption case.

The Delhi Police functions under direct administrative control of the Home Ministry. Its notification had barred the ACB from taking action against the Delhi Police and any officers of the central government.

The high court's order came amid a bitter tussle between the AAP government and Lt Governor Najeeb Jung over posting and transfers of senior officials as well as some other contentious issues.

The AAP government has called an emergency session of the Delhi Assembly beginning tomorrow to discuss the notification.

It has also indicated taking legal recourse on the issue. The gazette notification dated May 21 by the Home Ministry had said the LG will have jurisdictions over matters connected with services, public order, police and land and he may consult with the chief minister whenever he thinks necessary on issues of services using his own "discretion".

The appointment of senior bureaucrat Shakuntala Gamlin as acting Chief Secretary by the LG last week had triggered a full-blown war between the ruling AAP and Jung, with Kejriwal questioning the LG's authority and accusing him of trying to take over the administration.

PTI