AAP MLA Surinder Singh threatens to join OROP hunger strike post getting bail

Bailed out AAP MLA Surinder Singh on Saturday threatened to join the ongoing hunger strike with other ex-servicemen and to protest his arrest by Delhi Police on charges that he had assaulted an employee of the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC).

Speaking to ANI after he was granted bail by a court here, Singh said, "I will sit on hunger strike at Jantar Mantar with the ex-servicemen until their demand for one rank one pension is met."

He also described his arrest as being politically motivated.

"My being arrested is politically motivated and of the highest order. There has been a planned out conspiracy for this to happen," Singh said.

Singh was granted bail by a court along with two of his associates.

They were accused of assaulting an on-duty NDMC employee.

Metropolitan Magistrate Gomti Manocha granted bail to the three after asking them to furnish a personal bond of Rs.30,000 each and sureties of a like amount.

The Aam Aadmi Party leader was arrested by Delhi Police on Friday night in connection with a case related to the beating up of an on-duty New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) employee who was clearing footpaths illegally occupied by hawkers.

Commando Surinder Singh represents the Delhi Cantonment constituency in the Delhi Assembly, and he was booked under relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act on August 5, a few hours after attacking the NDMC employee.

Singh was also charged with obstructing a government official from performing his duty and threatening his life under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.

The incident took place when the legislator intervened in a routine checking drive by the NDMC in Tughlaq Road area of New Delhi.

Police said fourth-grade NDMC employee Mukesh was beaten up by the legislator when Mukesh along with an official team was trying to clear the footpath occupied by hawkers.