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The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Delhi has summoned officials of the Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd before it on Friday. The summons have been issued in the wake of a complaint filed by the erstwhile Delhi State Government, led by Arvind Kejriwal, alleging collusion between the UPA Government, Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas M Veerappa Moily and the firm, over the price of gas.

On Friday, the Delhi High Court is also likely to consider a petition filed earlier this week by the Petroleum Ministry seeking quashing of the FIR registered by the ACB in February.

RIL has already moved Court and the matter is expected to come up for hearing on May 20. Sources in the know said PMS Prasad, Executive Director, RIL, was likely to appear on behalf of the company before the ACB.

RIL said: “we will be responding to the communication tomorrow, but without prejudice to our legal rights.” It further said that “the Constitution does not permit encroachment by one authority upon the jurisdiction earmarked for another”

The company termed the FIR and investigation of a subject (gas pricing) falling exclusively within the Union List as unconstitutional. The Government, in its petition, said the ACB of Delhi had no jurisdiction over the issue. Besides, the Chief Minister of Delhi had no control or jurisdiction over the employees of the Union Government. He also has no control or jurisdiction over Union Ministers, the petition said.

Source-On Request