CM KEJRIWAL, DY CM SISODIA DISCHARGED IN 2014 RIOT CASE

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Saturday discharged Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and two other party MLAS in a 2014 rioting case when they had protested outside the Rail Bhawan.

Special Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar also set aside an order of Additional chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal who in July this year had framed charges against the CM, Deputy CM, Somnath Bharti and Rakhi Birla.

The case pertains to a 2014 protest staged by Kejriwal, his deputy, legislators and party members at the Rail Bhawan in the violation of prohibitory orders. The police filed three FIRS in different police stations under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. Kejriwal and senior AAP ministers slept on the street, and conducted official business outside Rail Bhawan on January 20, 2014. The demand was to bring Delhi police under state government.

The one-day protest was held due to Delhi Police’s refusal to investigate an alleged drug and prostitution ring. Kejriwal demanded suspension/transfer of the concerned officers, and executive control of Delhi Police.

“In one of the cases, the police filed a charge sheet in 2015, making the CM, deputy CM, then law minister Somnath Bharti , Rakhi Bidlan, Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh. While the court discharged Singh and Ashutosh, it framed charges against the rest,” Advocate Irshaad Ali, counsel for the CM said.

A detailed copy of the court order is yet to be uploaded on the official website of the concerned court.

In the other two cases, the accused were discharged a few days back, Írshaad added.

Reacting to the court order, media advisor to the chief minister Nagendar Shamra said the verdict is a “setback for Delhi Police”.