Police commissioner summoned to Delhi Assembly, in vain

What could have been a constructive discussion, ended up in a debacle at the Delhi Assembly on Tuesday.

The MLAs had initially demanded adjournment of the House until the police commissioner arrived to address their grievances on the city’s law and order situation. After the commissioner finally turned up after three hours, the MLAs, instead of engaging in a healthy exchange of ideas, resorted to yet another mud-slinging exercise, accusing political opponents of conniving with police.

As the House assembled on Tuesday, Congress MLA Mukesh Sharma raised the issue of firing at compatriot Anil Bhardwaj’s office. Expressing concern over the security of legislators, Sharma demanded that Commissioner Neeraj Kumar be summoned immediately and the House be adjourned till he arrives.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit also expressed similar sentiments, following which Speaker Yoganand Shastri adjourned the House.

Trouble started brewing after BJP MLA Saheb Singh Chauhan questioned the government’s motive behind summoning the city police chief at such a short notice.
Chauhan alleged that the government was trying to politicise the issue since the commissioner was anyways scheduled to be present on March 28 for a discussion on the law and order situation.

“Is he (commissioner) a killer? You order him to leave important work and say come right now. Get the House adjourned till he comes. This should not have been the attitude of the government,” said Chauhan.

In response, Sharma, in a snide remark, referred to Chauhan as a police informer.

“We all know that the police have informers who tip them about illegal activities and movements of criminals. However, only today we learned that the Delhi Police have informers in the House also,” he said amid protests by BJP members.

After peace prevailed, Sharma alleged that Chauhan’s security cover was initially removed, but later restored after he pleaded with the police chief.

Rashtriya Janta Dal MLA from Turkman Gate, Shoaib Iqbal, was also involved in a heated exchange with the BJP MLAs. He alleged that the saffron party always took law into its own hand.

Seated in the officers’ gallery with Special Commissioner (law and order) Deepak Mishra, Kumar was seen smiling several times.

‘People’s faith in police dwindling’

Meanwhile, Dikshit said the people’s faith in the police has dwindled and serious steps needed to be taken to regain public confidence.

“It is difficult to understand the fate of common man, including women, as even the MLAs are not safe in the city. The level of confidence in the police has eroded. The House exhorts the police commissioner and the Union home ministry to take serious steps,” said Dikshit. She added that the MLAs should get appropriate security in future.