The central IAS officers' association termed as "criminal" the alleged assault on Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash and demanded immediate arrest of the perpetrators. The association strongly condemns the assault on Chief Secretary, Delhi, it said.

"It's a criminal, cowardly and deplorable act and an assault on the Constitution. We stand by our colleagues in Delhi and demand immediate arrest of the perpetrators of such a shameful act," said the association of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers working across the country.

It supported a resolution of the Delhi IAS association and demanded immediate action against the perpetrators involved in the incident.

A total of 5,004 IAS officers are working across the country.

Prakash was allegedly assaulted by a few AAP MlAs at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence last night. The incident took place in the presence of the Chief Minister and his deputy Manish Sisodia.

The Chief Minister's office has dismissed the accusation as "bizarre and baseless".In a statement issued jointly by the Delhi IAS association; Delhi, Andaman Nicobar Island Civil Services (DANICS) and the Delhi Administration Subordinate Services (DASS) alleged that yesterday's meeting was called to put pressure on the Chief Secretary to release publicity material regarding achievements of the AAP Government, in violation of the Supreme Court's guidelines.

The midnight assault appears to pre-planned, pre-meditated and absolutely without any provocation on the part of the Chief Secretary in view of the fact that the meeting was called at midnight, according to the statement.