As the debate regarding Delhi ACB Chief MK Meena rages on, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday said that the city’s Anti Corruption Branch chief was under scanner for an alleged hawala racket.
“There is a probe going on against Joint Commissioner of Police Meena by the Delhi ACB for his involvement in a hawala racket. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has sent a secret note to the Home Minister about Meena’s involvement in a curtain purchase scam and in the hawala racket,” Sisodia said.
Last week, Delhi Police (retired) inspector Jawahar Lal had filed a complaint with Kejriwal, accusing Meena of a scam worth Rs 20 lakh in a curtain purchase transaction during his tenure as the principal of the Police Training College in Delhi. The Delhi government has also moved the High Court in opposition to Meena’s appointment as ACB Chief.
On June 9, Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung had appointed Meena to head the anti-graft unit, displacing SS Yadav, an officer handpicked by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal himself.
The AAP government had attempted to stall Meena’s appointment, alleging that it was illegal as there was no position in the ACB for him to fill. The Vigilance Department of the Delhi government, which oversees functioning of the ACB, had issued a letter asking him to go back to his Delhi Police task.
On the other hand, Meena had refused to comply with the Vigilance Department’s direction and had written back saying he had already assumed charge of the ACB and even vowed legal action if his functioning was hampered.
The Delhi High Court had last month termed the notification ‘suspect’ in which the Centre had stated that the Lieutenant Governor is the final authority on appointments of senior officials. The Court had noted that the Lieutenant Governor, who represents the Centre, is “bound to act upon the aid and advice” of the Delhi council of Ministers.
The ‘suspect’ tag was challenged by the Centre in the Supreme Court, which had said that the High Court must hear the case independently and not get influenced by any outside observations.