Delhi ACB chief releases new helplines, government threatens action

Delhi's Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) chief M.K. Meena, who was appointed by Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung, on Thursday released two new helpline numbers to battle corruption, and requested people not to call 1031 issued by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as no action is being taken over calls made to that number.

Reacting sharply to Meena's unprecedented move, the Delhi government once again put on record that Meena was not the ACB chief and that action will be taken against him in this connection.

Meena appealed to the people of Delhi to call 011-23812905 and 011-23812906 to make complaints of corruption.

"We have observed that from the past one month, no calls are being received on the Anti-Corruption helpline No. 1031 issued by the Delhi government," he said.

"People were calling but their calls were not being directed to our office, so we have decided to issue new helpline numbers. Calls will be received by our office," Meena said.

In an official statement released immediately after Meena's move, the Delhi government said: "Meena is just assigned to look after the work of training and monitoring of under-trial cases at the ACB."

"S.S. Yadav is the chief of ACB. Any decision regarding the ACB as its chief is to be taken by Yadav only. Meena's statement on helpline is sheer case of impersonation and the Delhi government will take action for the same against him."

The Delhi government said Meena was posted in the ACB in an "illegal" manner at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to scuttle the anti-corruption drive of the city government.

The Delhi government also made it clear that the anti-corruption helpline 1031 was the only one for all anti-corruption complaints in Delhi.

"No other helpline except 1031 is working for this purpose."

"Any attempt to send out confusing statements on the anti-corruption helpline 1031 and statement on issuing new helpline numbers would be dealt with legally," the government statement said.

Meena on Wednesday alleged that the complaints registered on anti-graft helpline 1031 are not being transferred to his unit.

Meena also advised the Delhi government to shut down the helpline if it was unable to run it properly and does not want the ACB to run it either.