Kejriwal, cabinet threatens to protest against inaction

The Delhi government on Friday dug in its heels and demanded the suspension of four policemen and Chief Minister Kejriwal threatened to stage a protest at Sushil Kumar Shinde’s residence if their demands were not met. 

Kejriwal’s threat to go on a protest came on a day when Lieutenant Governor (LG) Najeeb Jung ordered an independent inquiry by a retired judge into Thursday night’s “raids” by AAP ministers during which they alleged that the police did not co-operate with them.

“People come to us demanding answers whenever a crime takes place. They do not look for the Home Minister. So, it is high time that Delhi Police is handed over to Delhi government,” Kejriwal told reporters here after a meeting with Shinde.

He said the Centre could keep the security of the NDMC area and Lutyens’ Zone under its control but noted that the law and order in the rest of the capital should be handed over to the state government.

He also submitted a letter to Shinde in this regard.

An hour later, Education Minister Manish Sisodia threatened Shinde that the Delhi Cabinet will sit on a strike in front of his office if their demands were not met by Monday 11 am.

In the wee hours of Thursday, Delhi Ministers Somnath Bharti and Rakhi Birla approached two places where people were alleging police inaction. While Birla visited Sagarpur area to join a protest and asked the police to take action against the culprits in a burnt case, Bharti had conducted a raid in Malviya Nagar area and asked the police to take action against alleged drug traffickers and prostitutes. 

An ACP was seen having a fierce conversation with Bharti in front of cameras of the news channels.

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues met LG Najeeb Jung demanding an inquiry and suspension of four police officers—SHO Sagarpur, SHO Malviya Nagar, ACP Hauz Khas and ACP Malviya Nagar. Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi was also present in the meeting.

Bassi, however, refused to suspend the police officers and said he is waiting for the inquiry to be carried out by a retired judge. 

“I have spoken to my officers, and prima facie their action was justified,” he said, adding that he hopes the truth will come out after the report of the enquiry is tabled.