NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party lashed out at the Centre's decision to strip the capital's anti-corruption branch (ACB) of the powers to probe bribery charges against central government employees.

The party, on Monday, alleged that the BJP-led Centre was nervous about AAP returning to power in Delhi and wanted to protect central government employees-including police and DDA.

"The Centre has amended the 1993 notification that the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government had used to book two ministers in the UPA regime-Veerappa Moily and Murli Deora-on charges of fixing gas prices in Andhra's KG Basin to benefit Reliance Industries," said senior party member Sanjay Singh, demanding that the "completely unjustified notification" be withdrawn immediately.

On Monday morning, Kejriwal had tweeted: "In our 49 days of government, ACB was primarily responsible for curbing corruption. Why is the central government hell-bent on demolishing ACB. How can weak anti-corruption agencies fight deep-rooted corruption? Whose side is the government on?" He further added, "Central government's move also shows that BJP is confident that AAP is forming next government. They have started curtailing our powers."

The amendment to the 1993 notification, which was issued by the home ministry on July 23 but came to light on Monday, states that it will apply to the officers and employees of the government of NCR.

Shortly after the FIR by the Delhi government, Reliance had challenged its legality in the Delhi high court. The then solicitor general had called the FIR "illegal" but, on May 20, HC had directed the Centre and Reliance to cooperate with the anti-corruption branch. "Last week, ACB informed Delhi HC that it has jurisdiction to probe the gas pricing case and its investigation is going on. Therefore, the Centre's interference at this juncture is a clear attempt to help Reliance avoid facing the law after having committed one of the biggest scams in the history of independent India," said Singh.

The party is now examining the notification and will take a decision regarding its next action shortly.

