lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on Friday accused the Delhi Government of “insisting” he withdraw 24 criminal cases registered against AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Also, the l-G office rubbished the AAP Government’s allegation that the l-G was trying to pressurise the Delhi Government to grant parole to 84-year-old former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala. Ajay Chaudhury, OSD to the l-G, who briefed the media on Friday said the allegations are politically motivated as the l-G has declined to write off cases against the Chief Minister, Deputy CM and other AAP MlAs (that is under consideration) that’s why a twist is being given by the Delhi Government.

The OSD alleged that the Delhi Government was violating constitutional norms and creating crisis every week. 

“The l-G is the final authority on granting parole as the Home Department is under his control. The assertion on the part of the Minister that he was pressurised for granting parole is a shocking distortion of facts and deliberate manipulation to make it a political issue and settle political scores. The Home Minister has tried to make political capital out of this reference and has used the occasion to vent out angst at this unsuccessful attempt to push through the withdrawal of cases against AAP leaders. An attempt has been made to present a distorted view of criminal justice system for political gains. Parole is granted not on the basis of the gravity of offence committed but exclusive reasons like marriage of a close relative, death of a close relative or on medical grounds. Hence the very allegation that he was trying to influence the Government is not true,” said Chaudhury, adding the l-G was not in a mood to send a message to the public that administration was going soft on criminal cases against those in the Government.

Refuting media reports that l-G had called Satyendra Jain for parole issue, the OSD cleared that the Home Minister had called on the l-G on October 21 at his own request regarding withdrawal of cases that have been registered against AAP leaders, including CM and Deputy CM. 

“Prior to this on September 11, Jain brought a file containing the details of criminal cases pending against CM, Deputy CM and other AAP leaders and asked withdrawing 24 cases which are pending in the courts. The Minister insisted that file should be cleared today itself and he would like to take it back personally. The Minister also asserted that it is humiliating and below dignity for their senior leaders to attend the courts on frequent dates. He was advised that there should be a proper dispatch and receipt number before the l-G’s consideration. He was informed by the l-G that there cannot be a pick and choose policy for consideration of withdrawal of cases and proper norms and procedures have to be followed,” Chaudhury said.