AAP prunes powers of ACB chief, assigns key job to Yadav

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The AAP government has drastically pruned the powers of the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) head M.K. Meena, restricting him to training and monitoring of undertrial cases.

It assigned the key job of the anti-graft agency - investigations and inquiries - to S.S. Yadav, who was replaced by Meena following Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung's order last month.

The communication, issued by the Directorate of Vigilance in the Delhi government, said the provision was only till the Delhi High Court decides on Meena's appointment which has been contested in the court.

"M.K. Meena has been posted as joint commissioner of police in ACB. Since, there is no regular post of Jt. Commissioner of Police in ACB. As the matter is sub-judice, Meena will look after the work of training and monitoring of undertrial cases till the final outcome of ongoing proceedings in the high court," Vigilance Director Sukesh Kumar said in an order.

"S.S. Yadav, additional commissioner of police ACB, shall supervise the work of DCPs, ACPs, inspectors and SHO of police station of ACB. He shall also supervise all investigation and inquiries and other functions of ACB and its police station."

"So branch officers shall work under his direct control and supervision. He shall report directly to director (vigilance)," he said.

The order comes days after the Delhi High Court refused to restrain Meena from entering office as sought by the Delhi government.

The direction may add to the already acrimonious relationship between the Delhi and central governments who are at odds with each other over a host of issues.

Last month, Lt. Governor Jung, a representative of the central government, replaced Yadav with Meena as the chief of the ACB.

The move had drawn flak from the AAP government which called Meena's appointment illegal as there was no post of joint commissioner of police in the ACB. Meena is a joint commissioner in Delhi Police.