Meena launches new anti-graft helpline

A day after Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) chief MK Meena claimed that the Delhi Government’s anti-corruption helpline 1031 was of ‘no use’, he announced to start a parallel helpline on an official duty officer (DO) landline number of the anti-corruption branch. The landline number is 011-23812905. According to sources, Meena has asked his men to use the IO’s landline number as the helpline number for the ACB. Meena is also likely to use Whatsapp to hear  anti-corruption complaints.

Meena — whose appointment is being challenged by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal — announced to scrap previous anti-graft helpline 1031 and launched new helpline numbers 011-23812905 and 011-23812906.Meena, who was appointed by the lieutenant-Governor, said: “We have observed from past one month, no calls are being received on Anti-Corruption helpline number 1031 issued by the Delhi Government. People were calling but calls were not directed to our office, so I have decided to issue new helpline numbers which will be received by our office.”

He also said people of Delhi felt cheated when the State Government stopped sharing complaints made on previous anti-graft helpline 1031. “The new numbers will be functional 24X7 and action will be immediately taken,” said the officer.Soon after the new helpline was launched, the Delhi Government in a Press statement said no new helpline was started and any such helpline would be called illegal. 

Reiterating its earlier stand, the Delhi Government on Thursday said Meena is not the ACB chief and is just assigned to look after the work of training and monitoring of under-trial cases at the ACB. The reaction from the Government came after Meena issued a statement starting a new helpline. “SSYadav, IPS, is the Chief of ACB. Any decision regarding the ACB as its chief is to be taken by Yadav only,” said a statement.

It added that Meena’s statement on the helpline is sheer case of impersonation and the Delhi Government will take action for the same against him.

“Meena, was posted at the ACB in an illegal manner at the behest of the Prime Minister to scuttle the anti-corruption drive of the Delhi Government. The anti-corruption helpline 1031 stands as the helpline for all anti-corruption complaints in Delhi. No other helpline is working for this purpose,” it said, adding, “Any attempt to send out confusing statements on the anti-corruption helpline 1031 and statement on issuing new helpline numbers would be dealt legally.