Cops term Ministers’ conduct as undue interference in policing, to file a dossier to l-G, MHA
The relations between the Delhi Police and the State Government hit a new low on Thursday with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accusing the Delhi Police of being “highly compromised”. Kejriwal alleged that the security in the national Capital was dependent on God.
Peeved at the charges, the Delhi Police termed the conduct of Delhi Ministers an “undue” interference in the functioning of the police and decided to send a detailed report about the incidents to lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
The report prepared on behalf of Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi is expected to have all the details of the unsavoury incidents that unfolded in Sagarpur area of South West and Khirki Extension of South district on Wednesday night. Somnath Bharti, the Minister for law, Administrative Reforms and Tourism, and Rakhi Birla, the Minister for Social Welfare and Women and Child department, had locked horns with Delhi Police personnel over two issues.
Earlier the Delhi Chief Minister had demanded the suspension of the Station House Officers (SHOs) of Malviya Nagar and Sagarpur police stations and two Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs). He had also charged the Delhi Police with entering into a compromise formula with the accused and allowing them to go scot-free. “Delhi Police is highly compromised. If accountability of the Delhi Police is not fixed, then crime and rape incidents will not go down. I am meeting lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung on Friday, the Delhi Police Commissioner is also coming. I am going to tell him in strong words that Delhiites will not remain mute spectators,” said the Chief Minister.
On Wednesday night, Bharti arrived in Khirki Extension area, under the jurisdiction of Malviya Nagar police station, with his supporters and then summoned the local police officers to take action against four Nigerians, including women, who were travelling in a car. Inspector Vijay Pal, the SHO of Malviya Nagar Police station, reached the spot and was directed by the Minister to arrest the Nigerians. “This is my area, Khirki village. People have been complaining to me about the nefarious activities of Nigerians who indulge in prostitution and drugs,” said Bharti. “I attend meetings to listen to the people and have been flooded with complaints about Nigerian nationals,” he said.
The Minister accused that they were drug peddlers and should be arrested immediately. Police frisked all the Nigerians but nothing was found on them. They were then taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre on the insistence of the Minister and were subjected to a medical examination. They were allowed to go around 2 am when nothing adverse came against them, a senior Delhi Police official said.
The Minister entered into a verbal duel with ACP Bharat Singh Jakhar and ACP Harpal Singh and reportedly instructed them to arrest the Nigerians who were also involved in the flesh trade. It was ACP Jakhar, the night officer of South district who told the visibly angry Minister that they cannot check individuals at will since there is a codified legal process in cases of drug peddling and the police cannot enter any house without a search warrant.
“The Minister has no locus standi to instruct the Delhi Police but could have spoken to the senior police officials if he had any information. His behavior was unbecoming of a Minister as matters pertaining to law and order are handled without jingoism and histrionics,” a senior Delhi Police officer added.
Similarly, Rakhi Birla, the youngest Minister of the AAP Government, too landed at Sagarpur area in South West district to demand the arrest of the accused persons responding to the burning of a married woman Neha Yadav. Birla said Neha was allegedly set on fire by her in-laws on Sunday and she is battling for her life at Safdarjung Hospital. The Minister was livid and she spoke brashly with the senior Delhi Police officers. She insisted that police conduct a search of the house belonging to Neha’s in-laws. Police broke open the lock of the house at around 11 pm and nobody was found in the house. The Minister protested against the alleged police inaction and demanded stern action against the SGO of Sagarpur police station for protecting the accused.
Senior police officers debunked allegations of the Minister and said the two accused were already arrested.However, the City law Minister has an altogether different story to tell. “We asked the Delhi Police to conduct a raid. Initially they tried persuading me to not conduct this raid. later they refused to conduct the raid. If they do not listen to a law Minister, how they will help the common manIJ” Bharti said.
Responding to his allegations, the Delhi Police top brass said they are still ascertaining the facts of the case and a detailed action taken report will be sent to the lieutenant-Governor and the MHA. The Nigerian national against whom Bharti had levelled allegations, has not tested positive for any drug. Bharti had earlier been in the news for the wrong reasons for allegedly tampering with evidence in a corruption case.
Responding to the accusations of Kejriwal, Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi said that the force is taking all steps to keep the city and its people safe. “I would like to assure the people of the city that the Delhi Police is competent enough to ensure the safety and security of its citizen. The Delhi Police is taking every possible step to keep you safe,” Bassi said, when asked about the questions raised by the Chief Minister. Meanwhile, Kejriwal came out strongly against the Delhi Police and gave an ultimatum to suspend the SHOs and two ACPs who refused to ‘obey’ his Ministers.