Live updates: Kejriwal opens a new front, orders ACB to file FIRs against Moily, Deora, Mukesh Ambani

New Delhi: An embattled Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal today ordered the Anti-Corruption Bureau to file FIRs against Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily, former Petroleum Minister Murli Deora, Reliance Industries Ltd, its chairman Mukesh Ambani and V K Duggal, former director-general hydrocarbons and others, for causing huge loss to the nation's exchequer by hiking the cost of production for supply gas. Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal said, he had received a joint complaint signed by TSR Subramaniam, retired Cabinet Secretary, E A S Sarma, former Expenditure Secretary, Retired Admiral Tahiliani and Supreme Court advocate Kamini Jaiswal in which they had alleged that RIL which signed an agreement with the Centre in early 2000 to supply gas at a cost of $ 1 per unit, later hiked the rate to $2.3 per unit and again hiked it to $ 4 per unit. Inspite of hike in cost of production of gas, Kejriwal alleged, RIL "blackmailed the government" and tried to create artificial shortage because of which the nation had to import gas to meet the shortfall. Now, RIL wants to hike the cost of production of gas to $ 8 per unit from April 1, 2014, Kejriwal said, adding that this would result in huge hike in the price of CNG, PNG, resulting in transport and fertiliser price hike. On the other hand, RIL's partner NICO is supplying gas to Bangladesh at a cost of $ 2.34 per unit. Kejriwal claimed that his government had the locus standi to order probe into RIL gas issue, as it comes in concurrent list with CBI. He questioned whether the Congress received payoff from RIL, and whether the Opposition, which is silent on the issue, has also got payoff. "This is a decisive battle against corruption. I have sought honest officers from Central Board of Direct Taxes to help my government, but there has been no communication so far."Kejriwal opened a new front at a time when his government is cornered over the issue of holding a special Assembly session at Indira Gandhi stadium to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill. Here are today's live updates on Arvind Kejriwal :1:50 pm: I am no friend of Mukesh Ambani, but the way Kejriwal is levelling charges is really disgusting. To declare Mukesh Ambani as corrupt, Rahul Gandhi as corrupt, Narendra Modi as corrupt, except himself, is really disgusting. He is not behaving like a chief minister, he is behaving like a roadside activist. His motto is either my way, or the highway.1:41 pm: CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury: Let's wait for the Supreme Court verdict on this gas pricing issue. We raised it two years ago. Our members wrote several letters to the PM. An empowered Group of Ministers under Pranab Mukherjee was set up. The matter is now sub judice.1:39 PM: CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta says, Left had already raised the issue a long time ago. It was a big national loss. The case is in court and the hearing will begin on March 4.1:35 pm: Samajwadi Party Naresh Agrawal: Looks like Kejriwal has decided his government should go, and he has joined the shaheedi jatha (martyrs' squad).1:25 pm: Another AAP leader Prashant Bhushan : This is the biggest scam in India's history, it involves several lakh crores of rupees. It's a good thing that the ACB has been asked to probe. 1:20 pm: AAP leader Sanjay Singh says, this is the first time any state government has dared to act against Mukesh Ambani.12:30 pm: Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi: Governance does not mean striking an axe at your own legs. The Delhi govt is presently living in the past, least interested about the future, it should think of spreading hope and cheer for the future. Merely wallowing in threats, anger and allegations will not do. It will tire up this great city.12:12 pm: Veerappa Moily: Kejriwal should know an oil well is not a well from which you take out a bucket of water. I think we should sympathize with his ignorance about how a government functions. He should understand how I reduced prices of PNG, CNG. It's not a question of Mukesh or Deora or anybody else. there is a certain system for fixing prices. Nothing is done without expert advice and considering the question of availability. We are importing around 70 to 75 pc of petroleum products. It requires $ 165 to $170 billion. I think if he can give some money, we can reduce the prices. 12:10 pm: Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily says, Kejriwal should know how governments function and decisions are taken.11:50 am: BJP leader V K Malhotra reacts. Says: We are against corruption, but Kejriwal is in the habit of "spit and run". If he has evidences, he should go to court with evidences. I doubt whether Delhi Police can file a case on a purported crime that has taken place elsewhere.11:15 am: Kejriwal addresses a press conference to announce that he has ordered Anti-corruption bureau to file cases against RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani, union ministers Veerappa Moily and Murali Deora.Yesterday night Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal rejected Lt Governor Najeeb Jung's call to revisit his decision to hold a special session of Delhi assembly for the passage of the Jan Lokpal Bill at an open stadium, saying there will be no review of the move.Kejriwal's assertion to hold the session at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium came hours after Jung asked him not to stick to the decision as Delhi police has expressed reservation over it citing possible law and order situation."It is the prime duty of the Delhi Police to ensure the safety of the people and if the Police Commissioner considers himself incompetent in doing so, should he continue to be in his post?," Kejriwal said.On the issue of holding the final session of the Assembly at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Jung had conveyed to Kejriwal that it was imperative to take the views of the Delhi Police for maintenance of law and order."The Delhi Police is clear that it would not be possible to identify and segregate people coming to the venue who may have intention to disturb the Assembly. The inability to handle large crowds had become evident in the Janta Darbar and it would indeed be more difficult to control crowds within the vicinity of the Assembly."Therefore, in view of the law and order position and keeping in view the sanctity of the Assembly proceedings he has requested Kejriwal to reconsider this decision," the Lt Governor statement had said.