The Delhi high court observed that “nothing remains” in the contempt plea against ACB chief M.K. Meena once the AAP government’s challenge on curtailing of powers of the anti-graft body has been dismissed.

“Nothing remains in this. When the main petition has been dismissed, what remains,” the bench said.

The contempt plea was filed by the AAP government alleging that Mr Meena and the SHO appointed by him had not lodged an FIR against two officials of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) who were allegedly caught accepting bribe.

Additional solicitor-general (ASG) Sanjay Jain, appearing for Mr Meena, said “there was absolutely no wilful disobedience” by the chief of Delhi’s anti-corruption branch (ACB), who had acted in accordance with law by not lodging an FIR.

The ASG said the DDA officials were Central government employees and the ACB did not have powers to take action against them. Hence, Mr Meena had not disobeyed any law.

He said the HC’s recent judgment, holding the lieutenant-governor as administrative head of Delhi and upholding the Centre’s notification regarding ACB’s powers, has settled the law and thus, “the contempt plea was infructuous”.