Kejriwal, Delhi Ministers hold dharna outside Rail Bhavan

mangaloretoday.com

New Delhi, Jan 20:  In an unprecedented action, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his ministers today began a dharna outside Rail Bhavan demanding action against police officials who refused to carry out a raid on an alleged drug and prostitution racket in South Delhi last week.

 

Defying prohibitory orders in force in the high-security area near the seat of power, Kejriwal accompanied by six of his ministers attempted to go to North Block housing the Home Ministry to lodge their protest.

However, they were stopped near the Rail Bhavan as the nearby Vijay Chowk and the entire Rajpath were sealed for the Republic Day rehearsal that was going on.

Making an impromptu address to his MLAs and supporters, Kejriwal put the blame squarely on the Prime Minister, Home Minister and the Centre for the situation that has led to his dharna and said he has come prepared for 10 days and would continue the agitation further if need be.

He said any crisis arising out of the situation will be the responsibility of the Centre.Rejecting Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde’s statement that action can be taken only after an inquiry, the Chief Minister demanded immediate suspension of the "corrupt" officials who refused to act in the interest of the public whose cause Law Minister Somnath Bharti had taken up.

The Minister had created a controversy last week when he went to a locality in his constituency of Malvya Nagar, claiming a drug and prostitution ring was being run from a residence and demanded police raid the place.

 

Sex, drug rackets operate with Delhi Police’s knowledge: Kejriwal


Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday defied the barricading and bans to continue his protest against the Delhi Police. Speaking outside Parliament, Kejriwal blamed the Delhi Police of having the knowledge of the prostitution and drug trafficking racket across Delhi.

He accused the Delhi Police of having a nexus with the Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and said that it was not possible to have such a racket going on in the city without the knowledge of the police.

He said that he will continue to hold a 10-day dharna outside the North block to demand the suspension of the 5 policemen who refused to implement the orders of Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti to conduct a raid to bust the alleged sex racket.

He criticised the Delhi Police for lack of action despite severe security issues in the city. "One after the other rapes are happening and the Delhi Police only says that they are investigating, but they take no action," Kejriwal said. He said that he has asked the Police Commissioner to suspend policemen who allegedly defied Somnath Bharti’s but he denied that too. He questioned how can a fair inquiry be conducted if the policemen are not transferred.

He also defended Bharti saying the Ugandan High Commission complimented him on busting the sex racket. "There is a big sex racket going on in the area, but the policemen refused to arrest them. There is no sex racket in the area which is possible without the knowledge of the police. A woman from Uganda High Commision gave a letter to Somnath Bharti and complimented him for his efforts to stop the racket," Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal even asked the policemen to join his fight against the Delhi Police Commissioner. "We appeal to the police officers to join us in our fight. Let’s fight together. We do not want any violence. We want to have a peaceful protest as per the rules," Kejriwal said.

However, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said that Kejriwal must have faith in the government and the judicial inquiry. "The Delhi Police Commissioner and the Lieutenant Governor are looking after Delhi matters. Kejriwal should have trust in government and judicial inquiry that is going on," Shinde said.

In a situation which seemed to be a security nightmare for the Delhi Police, Kejriwal reached the North block in his car and was stopped at Rail Bhawan. Police officers tried to hold consultations with him to dissuade him to hold his protest.