AAP returns Bharti prosecution file to LG

Kejri govt says Jung doing BJP's bidding

In yet another confrontation between the Delhi government and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, Home Minister Satyendar Jain has sent back the file in which Jung gave the nod to police to prosecute Malviya Nagar MLA Somnath Bharti in the controversial raid against some African women in 2014.

The sanction to proceed against the legislator was given to police on August 3 – a day when the Assembly was discussing women safety and the controversial Aam Aadmi Party MLA made an allegedly sexist remark.

“I think he (LG) is working under instructions from the BJP. The case is over one year old and he had complete control of Delhi under the President’s Rule during that time. He could have taken the decision then,” the Delhi Home Minister said.

 “There should be no politics over these issues,” Jain said, questioning the timing of Jung’s decision ahead of the special Assembly session.

Questioning the Raj Niwas’ alleged haste to sanction Bharti’s prosecution without considering the contrary view of the Delhi government, Jain said the LG’s office had called up the Delhi government, asking to notify it at the earliest.

The Home Minister said he sent back the file to Jung on Thursday and would take up the issue with the council of ministers as the Lieutenant Governor should work on the aid and advice of the cabinet.

At a hurriedly convened press conference, Jain said, “It is so shocking that the LG's office is taking so much interest in notifying a prosecution sanction order. “

“They also said if the Delhi government did not notify it, the LG’s office would go ahead and notify it,” Jain said.

The Home Minister said Jung did not consider his advice, given much before August 3, before approving Bharti’s prosecution.

Giving a timeline of the swift developments ahead of the LG’s sanction to prosecute Bharti, Jain said on July 3 the LG gave Delhi Police sanction to prosecute Bharti. On the same day the file reached the CM’s Office. It was sent to Jain on  August 5.

In the raid in Khirki Extension in south Delhi, some African women were allegedly abused over local complaints of a sex and drug trafficking ring.

Bharti, who was then the law minister in the Arvind Kejriwal cabinet, was criticised for the raid but he claimed he was helping local residents.