The unsavoury controversy between Delhi Police and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has put the bureaucracy in poor light. It was a major climbdown on the part of the Delhi Government when they restrained New Delhi District Magistrate (DM) from filing a case against Delhi Police officials for not providing evidence in the alleged suicide of a farmer Gajendra Singh at an AAP rally at Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police was the clear winner, being the investigating agency, as the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) New Delhi district Vijay Singh quoted rules and procedures to bluntly tell the DM, New Delhi Sanjay Singh that he has no jurisdiction to conduct an enquiry in this matter.
Interestingly, the Delhi Police did not respond to DM’s letter and on the other hand, it has succeeded in restraining the DM from filing a case against police officials. It has been now learnt that the Delhi lieutenant Governor will submit ‘inquest report’ after completion of police investigation in the matter.
Bureaucrats are unhappy with this development as they see it as a complete loss of face to the bureaucracy in Delhi. There is a feeling among the IAS officers that IPS officers have prevailed over them and that was not in good taste. The incident has also provided a reason for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to be wary of the machinations of the Arvind Kejriwal Government. By ordering a probe in the death case of the farmer, the Delhi Government tried to take the matter into its own hands as the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister were feeling the heat. The incident has in a way made the MHA harden its stand on providing full statehood to Delhi. The entire tussle between the Delhi Government and Delhi Police will be treated as a fit case to refuse full statehood whenever AAP Government demands for it and control over Delhi Police.
According to well-placed sources, top police officials spoke to Delhi Government and apprised them about the whole situation. “Delhi Police reportedly conveyed to Delhi Government officials that if DM decides to file case against DCP and SHOs concerned, then Delhi Police may file case against officials who obstructed the police in discharging its duties. It would be better for both the parties not to file any case or complaint in the matter,” said sources.
After this development, the DM has been restrained from filing case against
police officials.