SC to hear tomorrow Centre's plea against HC order on notification

The Supreme Court will hear the Centre's plea with regards to the Delhi High Court order, which challenges its notification barring the Delhi Government's anti-corruption branch (ACB) from acting against its officers in criminal offences tomorrow.

The Centre's petition was mentioned before a vacation bench, comprising Justices AK Sikri and UU Lalit, by Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh.

Singh said that the observations made by the High Court led to total uncertainty and made everyday administration of Delhi difficult.

He said there is a need for clear interpretation of Article 239 AA of the Constitution in the balance of equation between the Delhi government and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.

When the bench said that the High Court has only used the word suspect, the ASG submitted that a clarification is needed. He said that the High Court's observations and findings have come while dealing with the bail application of the policeman who was arrested by the ACB.

Delhi Government has also filed a caveat pre-empting an ex parte order. In the application, Delhi government said that before passing any order, the city government be given an opportunity to make its stand clear.

Union Home Ministry had yesterday moved a petition before the apex court challenging the May 25 order of the High Court which was hearing bail application of a Delhi Police constable arrested by ACB of Delhi Government on bribery charges.

The findings of the high court were part of a judgment in which it held that the anti-corruption branch of the NCT government has the jurisdiction to arrest policemen.