Delhi Police book 2 AAP lawmakers over clash

A case has been registered against two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs and their supporters over a violent clash with the police at north Delhi’s Burari police station on Friday.

Six of the supporters have also been arrested. The MLAs—Sanjeev Jha from Burari and Akhilesh Pati Tripathi from Model Town—have not been arrested, but are named in the FIR, according to the police.

Nine policemen and six AAP members, including Jha, were also injured in the clash, which took place when Jha’s vehicle was not allowed entry into Burari police station.

Jha and his supporters had arrived there at about 11 pm on Friday to register a case against an individual whom they said they had caught kidnapping a boy from Pradhan Enclave Colony in the area.

Tripathi arrived at the scene with his supporters soon after.

As the AAP workers allegedly pelted stones at the police, the cops resorted to lathi-charge.  
Several vehicles were damaged in the clash, and those injured were taken to hospitals.

“The AAP MLA's vehicle was unidentified; it did not have any sticker on it. Thus, it was stopped. There were some anti-social elements who started pelting stones over the issue. We have registered an FIR in which the two MLAs have been named, along with the others,” said a police officer.

The FIR was registered under the Indian Penal Code sections pertaining to rioting,
unlawful assembly, obstructing a public servant from carrying out his duty, assault or use
of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty, voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation and mischief.

“More arrests are likely, as around five of the accused, who have been identified, are yet to be discharged from hospital,” said the officer. Asked why the MLAs were not arrested, Delhi Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi said: “We have registered an FIR and some people have been arrested. Further investigations are on.”

On Saturday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal ordered an inquiry under District Magistrate (North Delhi) into the matter.