Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Prakash Jharwal has been detained for the alleged assault on Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash, PTI reported on Tuesday, 20 February.
He was picked up from his house at Deoli and detained. There is a possibility he will be arrested later, sources said.
Party spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj, however, tweeted that Jharwal had been arrested, late on the night of 20 February.
“One AAP MLA Prakash Jharwal has been arrested by Delhi Police on frivolous complaint by IAS,” Bharadwaj tweeted.
Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash has alleged that he was assaulted by AAP MLAs Amantullah Khan and others during a meeting at the Chief Minister's residence on the evening of 19 February. The Aam Aadmi Party and the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) have refuted the allegations, calling them "bizarre" and have asked for an “independent” probe.
The Delhi Police has registered an FIR against Khan and others on the basis of Prakash's complaint.
An FIR has been lodged under Sections 186 (obstructing a public servant from performing the duty), 353 (assaulting a public servant), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 342, 504, 506(2) and 120b and 34.
ANI reported that police were also deployed outside MLA Amanatullah Khan’s residence on the night of 20 February
According to News18, Prakash alleged that he was assaulted by Ajay Dutt and Prakash Jharwal. However, Firstpost reports that Prakash named Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan as one of the accused in a complaint filed with Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has taken cognisance of the incident and sought a report. In a tweet, Singh condemned the “assault” and said bureaucrats must be allowed to work without intimidation.
Meanwhile political mudslinging has already begun with BJP and Congress demanding that Kejriwal resign from the post of Delhi Chief Minister.
AAP Denies Allegation
The Aam Aadmi Party, in a statement, denied that the assault had occurred.
Chief Secy refused to answer questions, saying he wasn’t answerable to MLAs & the CM, and that he was answerable only to LG. He used bad language against some MLAs & left without answering any question. Now he’s making ludicrous allegations.AAP’s statement
AAP member Ankit Lal alleged that the chief secretary attacked the MLAs when they questioned him about the poor implementation of Aadhaar.
Adding to the allegations, party MLA Prakash Jarwal said, “We had asked him about an area where people were not getting basic facilities like medicine, the Chief Secy suddenly shouted “maine Daliton ki thekedaari nahi le rakhi hai (I am not responsible for Dalits),” his temper was high. He said “you are not fit to be an MLA, I will only reply to the LG.”
Jarwal further said, “We have lodged a complaint with the SC/ST Commission against the casteist comments made by the Delhi Chief Secretary.”
Party MLA Ajay Dutt had written to the Delhi Police to lodge an FIR against Prakash for allegedly making “casteist remarks” in a meeting at Kejriwal’s residence.
Ashish Khetan from AAP addressed a press conference and demanded an independent and just investigation. He said, “It was a riot like situation, a crowd had gathered who became violent and even raised slogans, we don't know who they were. Everything is on CCTV, will be clear from it. Police were mute spectator.”
Rajnath Singh Asks For Report
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has sought a report on the ongoing crisis between the AAP government and Delhi’s chief secretary, reported News18. In a tweet, the minister said that he was “apprised of the prevailing situation” by a delegation of IAS and subordinate officers.
Delhi Administrative Officers to Go on Strike
Following accusations of an assault on the chief secretary, officers of the Delhi Administrative Subordinate Services have decided to go on strike. The officers want the Delhi LG to take action against the accused AAP leaders.
IAS Association Secretary Manisha Saxena said that she has met the LG and has put forward their concern, reported ANI.
The chief secretary was called for a meeting late at night. The chief minister, his deputy and the MLAs were present. When the chief secretary reached, he was roughed up. Such incidents have been happening, officers have been insulted and humiliated.Manisha Saxena, IAS Association Secretary, to ANI
The Delhi IAS Association also issued a statement saying that the incident was “appalling and shocking,” reported ANI.
Political Slugfest
AAP’s political rivals and former members have lashed out at the party over the incident.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra addressed a press conference, condemning the incident and blaming AAP for spreading ‘anarchy’ in the system.
BJP condemns this incident. A constitutional crisis looms over Delhi. First time we saw a Chief Secy being assaulted on the directions of a CM. AAP and anarchy have become synonymous. It has no relations with Constitution.Sambit Patra, BJP spokesperson.
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit called out AAP for engaging in hooliganism. “It clarifies how AAP is involved in malpractices & corruption. If something good happens Kejriwal and his MLAs take credit & if it's something bad onus falls on government. Is tarah se haathapaai karna! Koi gundagardi hai kya? (Engaging in fist-fights. Isn’t this hooliganism?)”
Delhi Congress Chief Ajay Maken demanded that the LG Baijal and meet CM Kejriwal to restore confidence among the administrative staff.
This is a serious issue, immediate investigation should take place. Whoever is found guilty should be punished.Mayank Gandhi, Former AAP MLA told CNN-News18
“This has never happened in the history of India. As an MLA, I am ashamed that this incident has taken place,” Kapil Mishra, former Minister in the Kejriwal cabinet told News18. BJP workers held a protest near the CM’s residence against the alleged assault.
Akali Dal MLA, Manjinder Singh Sirsa urged Anshu Prakash to file a complaint against Kejriwal and his men.
(With inputs from News18, ANI)
(This is a developing story and will be updated)
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