Centre dubs DDCA probe illegal, Kejriwal says it will go on

The central government on Friday said a panel appointed by the Delhi government can't investigate alleged corruption in the DDCA but Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal refused to accept the order.

Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung, who represents the central government, said in a notification that the elected government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT) "is neither the central government nor the state government, therefore it has no power to appoint such a panel.

"The home ministry has accordingly held that the notification issued by the directorate of vigilance of the Delhi government is unconstitutional, illegal and therefore has no legal effect," said a letter issued by the Lt. Governor's Office on Thursday and made public on Friday.

"The council of ministers may please be apprised accordingly and all concerned be advised to act in conformity with the decision of the (home ministry)," the letter added.

On Friday, Kejriwal said only a court could stop the panel, headed by former solicitor general Gopal Subramanium, from working.

He tweeted that the Delhi and District Cricket Assocaition (DDCA) enquiry commission set up by the Delhi government "is as per law (and) constitution". He added that the central government's opinion was not binding on the Delhi government.

"Commission will continue work. If LG or MHA (home ministry) or PMO (Prime Minister's Office) aggrieved, they may approach court. Only a court order can stop (the) commission's work," Kejriwal said.

The Delhi cabinet on December 21 decided to set up a Commission of Inquiry under Subramanium to probe alleged financial irregularities in the DDCA, which Finance Minister Arun Jaitley headed for 13 years till 2013.

Subramanium on December 28 assured Kejriwal of a "clean" investigation into the affairs of Delhi's cricket association.

He later requested National Security Advisor Ajit Doval for officers who would make up his investigating team.