The Delhi High Court on Monday said that the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has the jurisdiction to arrest police personnel – while denying bail to Delhi Police Head Constable Anil Kumar, arrested in connection with a bribery charge.
The development is being seen as a victory for the Aam Aadhmi Party over the Delhi's Lieutentant Governor, who have been at loggerheads over various issues.
The judgment also comes against the backdrop of a tussle between the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Delhi Police Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung over the powers of the State government’s machinery.
Mr. Anil Kumar had been arrested by the ACB on the complaint of a scrap dealer in North East Delhi that the head constable had demanded money. The police had then registered a case of kidnapping on complaint of his wife and had even gone so far as to ask the Anti-corruption bureau to “join investigations,” which is usually meant for a suspect or an accused in a police investigation.