Delhi Police asks DCW chief, on hunger strike, to vacate Jantar Mantar premises

Police on Tuesday requested Delhi Commission for Women Chief Swati Maliwal to vacate the Jantar Mantar premises, citing a standing order that prohibits protests at the venue after 5 pm.

Maliwal sat on a hunger strike at the venue to protest against the recent rape incidents in the country. She refused to listen to police's request.

Police said they are considering on providing Maliwal an alternate venue for the protest.

"We are telling them that there are certain guidelines for the protest at Jantar Mantar. The agitators are allowed to protest till 5 pm and we are urging them to follow these guidelines," Mandeep Singh Randhawa, Delhi Police PRO and DCP (Central), said.

"If they need any alternative site for the protest, including Ramleela Ground, we are also considering that. We are urging them to cooperate with Delhi Police," he said.

Despite several requests from police on public address system to end her protest for the day, Maliwal and her supporters refused to budge.

The DCW chief said, "Delhi Police is citing guidelines saying that one cannot organise a programme after 5 pm. Last year, on the 10th day of my fast unto death, a law was made that rapists of children be given death penalty within six months. That law is not being implemented. What guidelines are they talking about?"