ACB chief Meena, criticised by AAP, to probe CM ‘bribery’ case

In a series of paradoxes, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who built his career as an anti-corruption crusader, will be probed for being corrupt by the anti-corruption branch (ACB). The probe will be headed by ACB chief MK Meena, whom Kejriwal had often accused of being corrupt.

Kejriwal will be probed on a complaint filed by Kapil Mishra, his close friend and cabinet colleague till two days ago. Mishra and Kejriwal were friends even before the AAP was formed. Mishra had once accused the ACB of not acting on the complaints sent by Kejriwal’s government. But on Monday, he went to the ACB and filed the complaint.

The Delhi CM and IPS officer Meena have not shared the best of rapport. When Meena was appointed in June 2015, Kejriwal called the appointment illegal and against service rules. He accused Meena of being posted to settle scores with Delhi government by the Centre. Meena was appointed to head the ACB in place of another officer who was handpicked by Kejriwal and led the unit for a few months until Meena’s appointment.

Meena was later threatened with a departmental enquiry by the Kejriwal government, an order which was cancelled by the Centre. Meena had also threatened to sue Kejriwal if he continued to make such allegations without evidence.

The investigation will be conducted by a unit which is under the Delhi government. Most cases under probe by the unit are related to the AAP’s top officials. From CM to deputy CM, and several MLAs, the Delhi ACB is probing them all. The unit probing Kejriwal is one, which the CM has always claimed should report to him and not the L-G.