Recording device found in Anti-Corruption Branch chief M K Meena's office?

NEW DELHI: An alleged recording device was found in newly appointed Anti-Corruption Branch ( ACB) chief M K Meena's office a few days ago, highly placed sources have told TOI. The device was apparently in a pen box kept on the table.

The incident reportedly occurred a couple of days after Meena took charge. The device was found after Meena fiddled with the box, which had an unusual number of pens. As Meena emptied the box, he found the mic-like device. It could not be confirmed if the device was active or switched off.

While Meena could not be reached for comment, an officer who refused to be named said an enquiry was on to ascertain if the device was deliberately planted or left there "by mistake". He declined to speculate on who might have put the device in the office.

The discovery of the device caused a tizzy in the ACB office and all officials were summoned and quizzed, said the sources. The matter was brought to the notice of the highest authorities of Delhi Police. The LG's office was also informed, the sources added.

The Kejriwal government had opposed Meena's appointment to the anti-graft body. Deputy CM Manish Sisodia had called his transfer a conspiracy and alleged that Meena was trying to trap him in the case of alleged suicide by farmer Gajender Singh.

In the recent past, Delhi has seen a series of 'sting operations' conducted both by, and against, AAP members. Last September, AAP had released a video purportedly showing BJP state vice-president Sher Singh Dagar offering money and other incentives to then Sangam Vihar MLA Dinesh Mohaniya. The AAP government has also encouraged citizens to secretly record officals demanding bribes and to bring these cases to its notice.

However, AAP has also been at the receiving end of stings. Party worker Umesh Singh released a conversation in which Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal could be purportedly heard abusing Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav and threatening to form a new party. In another audio clip, he was heard purportedly asking former AAP MLA Rajesh Garg to "break the Congress" and get the rebels to support AAP from outside. The conversation alegedly took place at a time when the Delhi Assembly was hung and Congress had eight MLAs.

Meena has been sitting in an office allotted for a DCP since taking charge as former ACB chief S S Yadav retained his office. Anti-sting equipment may be installed in Meena's office following the incident.