ACB can prosecute RIL, Moily, Deora: Delhi govt to HC

This is related to alleged irregularities in raising price of gas from RIL's KG6 basin

The Delhi High Court was today informed by the city government that its Anti-Corruption Branch has the power to probe the case against RIL and former UPA ministers Veerappa Moily and Murli Deora relating to alleged irregularities in raising price of gas from the company's KG6 basin.

The submission was made before Justice V K Shali by senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for Delhi government, who said that according to the clarification received from the Centre, the July 23, notification regarding ACB's powers will only have "prospective effect".

"That the Ministry of Home Affairs vide its communication dated September 30, 2014, has clarified that the (July 23) notification is prospective as notification issued by Government of India becomes effective from the date of its publication in the official gazette..," the affidavit submitted on behalf of Delhi government has said.

According to the July 23 notification, the Centre had said that the 1993 announcement permitting ACB to probe cases under Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act will only be applicable to officials of Delhi government.

The court said it will now hear the matter on October 28 on which date it will also hear the plea of Deora, who has moved a plea for quashing of the FIR lodged against him.

It also directed that no coercive action be taken against Deora.

Deora, in his plea filed through advocate Karthik Nayar, has also challenged the earlier notifications, including the one of 1993, by which ACB has been given the power and jurisdiction to probe cases under PC Act.

The Delhi government on August 19 had told the court that the July 23 notification takes away ACB's power to investigate central government employees in corruption cases.

It had said that it would file a reply as to what would be the effect of the notification on the cases currently being probed by ACB.

ACB had earlier asserted that it was well within its right to lodge the FIR against Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and others, including then Oil Minister Moily, for alleged irregularities in raising gas prices.