Police keep DM in dark over suicide

Refuse to file farmer's autopsy report

Delhi Police on Friday refused to submit documents for an inquiry ordered by the state government into the suicide of farmer Gajendra Singh during an Aam Aadmi Party rally at Jantar Mantar.

New Delhi District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar had asked police to share papers related to the case by 11 am on Friday. It includes the FIR and Gajendra’s medical report.

Police replied that they would report only to the court concerned. However, Delhi Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi asserted that the force was not in conflict with the state government.

“We are ready to work with anyone,” Bassi said. Police added that a magisterial probe is never ordered in a case of unnatural death. The AAP-led state government had ordered an inquiry by a district magistrate, while Union Home Ministry has asked police to investigate.

Sources said District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar is seeking legal opinion on filing a criminal complaint against police for not cooperating with the investigation. The complaint will be under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code.

Kumar met Arvind Kejriwal twice at the Chief Minister’s house on Friday and briefed him about the inquiry launched by him. He hinted that police have been given time till Saturday to share information sought by him.

The DM also said he had plans to put out ads in newspapers and radio to invite witnesses of the suicide to come forward and record their statements for a fair probe.

On Friday, police also rubbished allegations that they were conducting a biased investigation. Police have alleged in the FIR that AAP leaders and volunteers clapped and cheered when Gajendra was on the tree, and instigated him.

They also said AAP volunteers obstructed them at every step, and prevented them from saving the farmer. This version contradicts that of AAP.

Bassi has said they will also conduct a probe into any laxity shown by police during the incident. The probe will be conducted by a joint commissioner of police. The FIR is based on the account of a policeman who claimed that he appealed to clapping AAP volunteers not to encourage Gajendra and help pull him down. But neither the AAP leaders on stage nor the volunteers helped.

Sources also said police want Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia to join the probe. Both the AAP leaders were on stage in Jantar Mantar when Gajendra committed suicide on Wednesday.

Gajendra’s post-mortem report was also handed over to police on Friday. “As per preliminary finding from the report, the death was due to hanging,” Bassi told media.