DDCA probe panel illegal: Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung

NEW DELHI: Arguing that the Delhi Government has “no jurisdiction or power” to set up a commission of inquiry since it is not a state government, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on Friday told the city’s Aam Aadmi Party-run administration that it’s decision to probe the alleged DDCA scam has no “legal effect”.

Mentioning a “communication’ from the Home Ministry regarding the Delhi government’s probe into the alleged wrongdoings at the Delhi and District Cricket Association, Jung’s secretary SCL Das told Chief Secretary KK Sharma that, as per the latter, notification setting up the inquiry is “unconstitutional, illegal and therefore has no legal effect”.

These conclusions are similar to the opinion sent by Jung to the Home Ministry last month, days after the Delhi government officially set up the commission of inquiry on December 22. Responding to Jung’s letter, CM Arvind Kejriwal continued his defiant posture on the probe. “DDCA inquiry is as per law and the constitution of India. Centre’s opinion is not binding on Delhi government,” he said.

The inquiry commission will continue its work and, if the home ministry, LG or the Prime Minister’s Office are “aggrieved”, they may approach the courts, he added. “Only a court’s order can stop the commission’s work.”