Raj CM’s OSD summoned in case filed by Shekhawat
JAIPUR: The Delhi police has summoned Rajasthan chief minister’s officer on special duty for questioning him on Monday, suspecting him to be involved in a case of illegal phone tapping, lodged by Union Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the national capital.
The notice summoning Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s OSD Lokesh Sharma has been issued by the Crime Branch of Delhi Police for the fourth time, this time too warning him that he would be liable to be arrested in case he fails to appear before the police for questioning.
Like the previous third notice,
the Crime Branch has sent the fourth notice under section 41.1 (A) of CrPC reiterating that failure to attend/comply with the terms of the notice can render him liable for arrest under section 41 A (3) and (4) of the CrPC.
The first two notices were sent under section 160 of the CrPC which empowers a police officer to enforce the attendance of witnesses in any case.
After receiving the third notice last month, Sharma, apprehending arrest, had approached the Delhi High Court requesting an early hearing of his petition for quashing of the FIR against him.
On Sharma’s plea, the high court has stayed any coercive action against him till January 13. During a hearing of Sharma’s plea on November 12, the high court was also assured by the Delhi police that no coercive steps shall be taken against the CM’s OSD till further orders.
Sharma, however, did not appear before the police on either of the last three dates citing personal reasons.