Delhi govt crisis: MK Meena hits back, refuses to step down as ACB chief

New Delhi: Hitting back at the Delhi government, Joint Commissioner of Police Mukesh Kumar Meena said that he would continue as the chief of Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) as his appointment has been made by the competent authority. In his letter to Sukesh Kumar Jain, Secretary and Director, Vigilance Department, Meena said “I have already taken the charge of Joint Commissioner of Police/Anti Corruption Branch, GNCT, Delhi on 8 June in pursuance to the order’s of the LG and I am presently heading this unit.” [caption id=“attachment_2287566” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Delhi Police officer MK Meena. IBNLive[/caption] Earlier in the day, Jain had issued an order refusing to accept Meena as head of ACB, saying that he cannot hold non-existent post (Joint Commissioner) in the anti-corruption unit. Meena also warned Jain of taking legal action against him if he in future interferes in the working of ACB. “ACB is a notified police station. Such references undermine the authority of ACB. Hence, it is a kind of interference in the working of a notified police station. I am again informing you that I am continuing as head of Anti-Corruption Branch and any such reference regarding charge is to be addressed by the LG, Delhi. “Thereafore, such reference should not be directly addressed to me as the LG is the competent authority in such matters and you are requested that in future, you may not interfere in the working of ACB otherwise I will be constrained to initiate action against you as per law,” Meena said in his letter. The AAP government is yet to take a decision on the chief of ACB and till then, Meena will continue to look after the work of the anti-corruption unit. The Joint Commissioner also reviewed with officials of ACB today and discussed several issues pertaining to the unit. L-G Jung rejects transfer of Delhi Home Secretary by AAP govt In no mood to relent, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung rejected the AAP government’s decision to transfer Home Secretary Dharam Pal after he signed a notification appointing Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police Meena as new Chief of the ACB. Pal had issued the order appointing Meena following Jung’s directives. Sources said the LG has declared “null and void” the order transferring Pal. Earlier, government sources said the order was sent to Jung for approval. The conflict over authority over the bureaucracy has been a major source of confrontation between the AAP government and the LG. Jung had on Monday appointed Meena superseding Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s hand-picked chief SS Yadav. The AAP government had reacted sharply to the decision. Earlier, an Additional Commissioner-level officer used to head ACB but the LG yesterday had elevated the rank of head of the probe agency from Additional Commissioner to Joint Commissioner. Meena is currently serving as Joint Commissioner of New Delhi range and the LG’s order said he has been given additional charge of ACB. PTI