Sources said Delhi government did not send a file pertaining to the appointment of JK Sharma as Tihar Jail's DG to the LG office for prior approval. (PTI file photo)
In yet another face off, AAP government today appointed senior IPS officer JK Sharma as the Director General of Tihar Jail but Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung declared the order "null and void", saying the Arvind Kejriwal dispensation did not seek his prior approval.
A 1982-batch IPS officer, Sharma, the Director General of Delhi Home Guards was, earlier in the day, given the additional charge of DG (Prisons) by the city government.
An order issued by an Additional Secretary of Delhi government's Home Department said, "DG (Home Guards) JK Sharma, IPS (AGMU 1982), will hold additional charge of Director General (Prisons) till further orders."
Sources said Delhi government did not send a file pertaining to the appointment of Mr Sharma as Tihar Jail's DG to the LG office for prior approval.
However, "the Lt Governor has declared that the government's order to appoint Sharma as the DG of Tihar Jail is 'non est' (does not exist)," a source in the LG Office said.
Mr Sharma has served Delhi in different posts and was investigated by central agencies over graft charges.
The officer, after taking over the new post, visited the jail and held a meeting with senior prison officials.