Delhi government shunts out Home Secretary Dharam Pal

NEW DELHI: In escalation of tension, AAP government today transferred Home Secretary Dharam Pal, hours after he signed a notification appointing Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police M K Meena as new Chief of Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) following order from Lt Governor Najeeb Jung.

Sources in Delhi Government said Pal has been transferred and the order to this effect has been sent to the LG for approval.

Jung had yesterday appointed Meena superseding Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's hand-picked chief SS Yadav. The AAP government had reacted sharply to the decision.

Earlier, an Additional Commissioner-level officer used to head ACB but the LG yesterday had elevated the rank of head of the probe agency from Additional Commissioner to Joint Commissioner.

Meena is currently serving as Joint Commissioner of New Delhi range and the LG's order said he has been given additional charge of ACB.

Today, the AAP government refused to allow Meena to take charge. The official, however, said he will comply with the LG's order.