The Centre has stripped the Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of powers to probe central government employees for bribery, a move aimed at clipping the powers that the Arvind Kejriwal-led government invoked to book two Union petroleum ministers earlier this year.
The Union home ministry has amended the 1993 notification that the Kejriwal-led Delhi government had flaunted to book two UPA ministers, Veerappa Moily and Murli Deora, on charges of allegedly fixing gas prices in Andhra’s KG Basin to benefit Reliance Industries.
This notification gave the ACB a free hand to probe offences under the anti-corruption law in Delhi, irrespective of who is involved.
“This notification shall apply to the officers and employees of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi,” IS Chahal, joint secretary at the home ministry said, in a July 23 order, clipping the bureau’s wings.
