NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police received a dressing down from the high court on Wednesday for questioning the Anti Corruption Branch’s (ACB) jurisdiction during a hearing on the bail plea of a constable arrested on corruption charges.

Justice Vipin Sanghi threw out an application filed by the police seeking to be heard as a party in the bail plea filed by constable Anil Kumar.

“What is your locus? Are you an accused or does the accused need your crutches to build his case? This plea is nothing short of indiscipline by the Delhi Police where powers of the state government are being challenged by a disciplined force,” an angry bench remarked, after advocate Rajat Katyal, appearing for ACB, opposed the police application.

The court said that such issues must be resolved by departments through mutual deliberations, adding that “sharp differences between constitutional authorities and the police force will only erode the authority of the government and undermine law and order within the state.”

Dismissing the plea of the police the court said if allowed it will “only lead to anarchy.” It posted for next week Kumar’s plea for next hearing.

In its application the police challenged the power of ACB to arrest Kumar arguing that a July 2014 notification of home ministry makes it clear that the state government has no jurisdiction to prosecute or arrest a Delhi Police employee.

But ACB has maintained it has powers to prosecute police officials and told HC there is enough evidence against Kumar in the sting operation conducted by the government’s anti-corruption wing and probe is still at an initial stage.

A turf war had broken out between Delhi Police, and the state government after constable Anil was arrested by ACB on the intervening night of May 1 and 2. While ACB booked him on corruption charges, police hit back, registering an FIR of kidnapping in this connection.

