Terror outfit Indian Mujahideen (IM) is planning to abduct Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for release of its key member Yaseen Bhatkal who was arrested from Indo-Nepal border on August 27 last year, Delhi Police said on Sunday. A team from the security wing of Delhi Police has briefed Kejriwal about this threat and requested him to take Z-category security cover; however, it was not immediately clear what was the response of the Delhi Chief Minister in this regard. However, Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh told media persons that Kejriwal did not accept the police proposal. All top party leaders will maintain their stand that they will not accept security cover.
Senior Police officials said that they have received an input in this regard from Intelligence agencies. “We came to know that Kejriwal can be kidnapped by IM members, who are planning it in order to get co-founder Yaseen Bhatkal released,” the officer added. Earlier on two occasions also, the police have had a formal communication with Kejriwal and have written two formal letters to Kejriwal requesting him to accept personal security, however they requests were rejected by him and he refused personal security.
Additional Commissioner of Delhi (Security) V Renganathan on Sunday afternoon met the Delhi CM but he again declined to take security cover in keeping with his AAP’s policy to end VIP culture in politics. Earlier, Renganathan wrote a letter to Kejriwal saying Delhi Police have been providing security cover to the Chief Minister of Delhi who is given Z-category protected status. last week, Intelligence officials had warned that Kejriwal could be targeted by the water and tender mafia, which were feeling threatened because of his anti-corruption policies.
Police sources said that now Kejriwal will shift his residence from Kaushambi to C-11/23 in Tilak lane and now he will be given security cover around the residence. “He refusing but we are providing security cover to him. We are spending so much money and providing security cover all the times in his Kaushambi residence also. We are deploying men in plainclothes around him 24x7 at a distance. We cannot afford to take any chances. He cannot be left without any security,” a senior police officer said. A special NIA court on Friday allowed the plea by Karnataka Police to interrogate Bhatkal in connection with the blasts at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore in April, 2010.
After failing to convince Kejriwal to accept personal security from the Delhi Police, the department had also conducted a joint security survey and submitted a report to him. The report contained matter on the possible security threats to the CM. Earlier, Delhi CM Kejriwal has been placed under Z-category security by Ghaziabad police in spite of his consistent rejection of the same. Kejriwal would have 30 police personnel deployed round-the-clock during his movement in the district. Kejriwal and his family presently stay in the Girnar Apartments complex in the Kaushambi area of Ghaziabad.
“Despite the Delhi CM’s refusal, Ghaziabad police provided him with 24-hour Z-category security. Two head constables and eight constables have been deployed outside Kejriwal’s house). Besides, two personal security officers have been also posted as part of the Delhi CM’s security detail,” a senior police officer of Ghaziabad police said. Apart from the security personnel, two escort vehicles are also following Kejriwal in Ghaziabad. Bhatkal is currently in custody of Karnataka Police in connection with the 2010 Chinnaswamy Stadium blasts. He was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in August 2013.