Security outside Kejri’s house inadequate: HC
NEW DELHI: The security outside chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence was inadequate at the time it was vandalised by protesters on Wednesday, the Delhi high court observed on Friday after watching a video of the incident, as it directed the city police to submit a status report of the investigation into the violence.
A bench, of acting chief justice Vipin Sanghi and justice Navin Chawla, was hearing the plea filed by the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Greater Kailash (GK) legislator Saurabh Bhardwaj that sought the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for a “fair and time-bound investigation”.
Calling the crowd “unruly”, the court said it was evident they were trying to create an element of fear.
“It was an unruly crowd. We have seen the video. Some people tried to climb over the gate. They did not succeed. Probably it was not their intent also. Some of those in crowd have taken lawand-order into their hand. And there’s definitely an element of fear which has been sought to be created, that is evident. The police force was probably inadequate, you’ll have to answer that... At least those who were there, they were trying to prevent it. Probably they were outnumbered. You’ll have to explain what kind of intimation you had and what kind of threat perception was there about this kind of incident taking place,” the court said, as it directed the police to file the report in two weeks.
Delhi Police spokespersons did not respond for comment.
Protesters led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Bangalore South Tejasvi Surya vandalised property at Kejriwal’s house and clashed with the police during a demonstration against the AAP leader’s comments on the movie The Kashmir Files.
Some, including Surya, managed to reach the main gate of the residence, threw paint on the steel door, damaged a boom barrier and CCTV installed near the gate, police said.
Eight people were on Thursday arrested in connection with the violence.
A day after the violence, Kejriwal said hooliganism would not help the country progress and that he was prepared to lay down his life for the country.
The BJP has, meanwhile, accused the AAP of spreading falsehoods to “divert attention” from Kejriwal’s “statements on Kashmiri Pandits.“
In the high court on Friday, additional solicitor general (ASG) Sanjay Jain, appearing for the Delhi Police on Friday, opposed the notice issued to the force, saying the petition should not have been filed within 24 hours of the incident.
He said they would file a status report in a sealed cover since the matter is under investigation.
The court responded, saying, “Mr Jain, if you are so sensitive to issuing notice, we will say you appear on advance notice. We are only seeking basic details.”