DCW being used as 'political tool': AAP

AAP today claimed vindication of their stand following DCW's submission before the Delhi High Court that proceedings against party leader Kumar Vishwas have been closed, and said it amounted to a "clean chit" to him even as the party attacked the panel's chief for misusing the body as a "political tool".
Responding to AAP's attack, DCW chief Barkha Shukla Singh denied suggestions that the panel had dropped its charges against Vishwas of not quashing "rumours" about an illicit liaison with an AAP volunteer.
"What clarification does she (Singh) want from Vishwas? Even the complainant has not accused Vishwas of anything. Her charges are against four individuals who harassed her on social media," AAP leader Somnath Bharti, Vishwas's counsel in the case, said.

AAP's Delhi Convenor Dilip Pandey wondered whether quasi-judicial positions of the sort the DCW chief holds should "continue to be misused". "That is the crux of the matter."
"They entertained an illogical complaint against Vishwas and even held a press conference against him. Does not that amount to misuse of the women's panel as a political tool?" Pandey asked as he blamed the BJP for "practising such politics".
"Should bodies such as LG office, Delhi Police be also used as weapons against political rivals as is being done now," he said.

Meanwhile, Singh countered AAP's claims saying the panel did not pursue the matter as the case was being "handled" by Delhi Police now.

Earlier in the day, DCW chief told Delhi High Court that the proceedings on a complaint against AAP leader Vishwas by a party volunteer alleging that her life was ruined as he was not rebutting "rumours" about their illicit liaison, have been closed by the Delhi women's panel.
Justice V P Vaish was told by Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Singh's counsel that "there are no proceedings pending in the case" before the body.