New Delhi, Jan.17: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia on Friday said that the party delegation led by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde to suspend the police officers who had countered a government directive two days ago, and added that if erring cops are not suspended by Monday, the party would protest outside the Home Minister’s office.
“The policemen who did not fulfill their duties should be suspended immediately. If by Monday erring police officers are not suspended then we will sit on a ‘dharna’ demanding it,” he told media here today.
Sisodia also said that the delegation requested Shinde to bring Delhi police under the control of the Delhi government.
“We requested the Minister that Delhi Police should be under the Delhi government because the law and order situation is a matter of concern here. That is why it is necessary that Delhi police should work under the Delhi Government,” he added.
AAP is demanding the suspension of the station house officers (SHO) of Sagarpur and Malviya Nagar police stations and two assistant commissioners of police.
On Thursday evening, Kejriwal told a press conference that action will be taken against police officials in incidents involving confrontation with Delhi minister Somnath Bharti and Rakhi Birla.
Kejriwal said then that the Delhi Police was “highly compromised”, and this was visible when they refused to act against sex and drug gangs and the burning of a woman.
As Delhi is not a full-fledged state, the Delhi Police does not report to the city government. It is controlled by the Union Home Ministry.
On Friday, AAP leaders’ met Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and lodged a formal complaint against the Delhi Police.
Sisodia said that his party has demanded the suspension of the four cops. Delhi Police has submitted a report to Jung, complaining about the “interfering” behaviour of two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ministers – Women and Child Welfare Minister Rakhi Birla, Law Minister Somnath Bharti – in police investigation.
The Lt. Governor has asked retired judge, B.L. Garg to head an inquiry body in the matter. Judge Garg has been asked to submit his report within 30 days.
