Delhi LG-AAP standoff: Najeeb Jung declares appointment of Krishna Saini as DERC chairperson 'void'

Delhi: In what could be said to be a fresh standoff between the AAP government and Delhi LG, the appointment of Krishna Saini as Chairperson of Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) was declared as 'void' on Wednesday by Najeeb Jung.

DERC has been asked to initiate the process for selection of chairperson again immediately in accordance with law.

The move comes in the wake of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today alleging that ACB had registered FIR against him at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the "administrative and financial irregularities" in the functioning of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW).

The AAP chief also distributed copies of the FIR which named him along with DCW chief Swati Maliwal as "known/suspected/unknown accused".

Continuing his tirade against PM Modi, Kejriwal said that the AAP government would soon call a Special Session of Delhi Assembly where he would expose the "conspiracy" behind the registration of the FIR.

Maliwal was on Monday booked by the Anti-Corruption Branch of the Delhi government on charges of alleged irregularities in recruitment in the women's panel.

"In the FIR registered by the ACB, my name is also there... But it does not contain any details on my alleged role. One does not put the name of the Chief Minister in the FIR just like that. It cannot happen without the Prime Minister's approval. It is clear that the FIR has the PM's nod. We will soon call a Special Session of the Delhi Assembly where we will expose the conspiracy behind this," the Delhi CM told reporters at his official residence.
 
The FIR was registered on a complaint by former DCW chief Barkha Shukla Singh.

A case under sections 13(D) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 409 (criminal breach of trust) and 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy) of the IPC was registered against Maliwal, ACB chief Mukesh Kumar Meena had said. 

(With Agency inputs)