Action against police personnel only after inquiry: Shinde

Says the Centre will not hand over Delhi Police to the state government

Asking Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to maintain the dignity of the office he holds, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde today ruled out any action against Delhi Police personnel till an inquiry is over.

 

Talking to reporters here on the sidelines of a function to mark the raising day of National Investigation Agency (NIA), he also made it clear that the Centre will not hand over Delhi Police to the state government.

 

Asked about dharna being led by Kejriwal outside Rail Bhavan, Shinde said, "He should maintain 'garima' (dignity) of the chair of Chief Minister and wait till the judicial probe is completed. After all he is a chief minister...,(which is) a high post. He should cooperate."

 

Kejriwal is protesting alleged inaction against Delhi Police officials who had a tiff with Delhi's Law Minister Somnath Bharti in Malviya Nagar in south Delhi last week.

 

Bharti had created a controversy when he went to a locality in Malviya Nagar, claiming a drug and prostitution ring was being run from a residence and demanded police raid the place. However, the police refused, saying they have no warrant to do so.

 

Shinde said, "Ordering judicial inquiry means fixing of responsibility in an impartial manner. There is no interference in the probe. The Lt Governor has made it clear that the probe will be expedited.

 

"After Nirbhaya (case), we have said there should be section 144 CrPC always in Vijay Chowk and other nearby areas. If they want to protest, they should go to Jantar Mantar."

 

He said, "In inquiry everything will come out (as to) who is guilty and who is not. I am in touch with Delhi Police."

 

Shinde ruled out any move to hand over Delhi Police to Delhi government as demanded by Kejriwal and said even in the United States, Washington DC is under the federal authorities.

 

"The demand for handing over of Delhi Police to Delhi government has been an old one. Like in the US -- Washington DC, the concept is that the capital is under the Centre. This (demand) is not possible."

 

To a question about allegations by AAP that anarchy in Delhi was because of Congress and BJP, Shinde said, "The whole country is witnessing where is anarchy and who is creating anarchy.