CS assault case: Kejriwal asked to join probe

Will cooperate, says AAP spokesperson; Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia up next

The Delhi police on Wednesday sent a notice to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asking him to join the investigation into the alleged assault on Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash in February.

The police said they have issued the notice under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code, asking Mr. Kejriwal to join the investigation on Friday at 11 a.m.

While officials in the Chief Minister's Office did not comment on whether he would meet the police on Friday, the Aam Aadmi Party’s Delhi spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said: “The Chief Minister has made it clear that we will cooperate with the police.”

Venue of CM’s choice

The notice sent to Mr. Kejriwal states: “In relation to the case registered on the complaint of Anshu Prakash, Chief Secretary, GNCT of Delhi, dated 20 February, 2018, you are required to attend the investigation, being acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case, as reflected in the FIR.”

The police said they are flexible with the timing and location of the meeting, whatever is convenient for the Chief Minister.

“We have given Mr. Kejriwal the option to choose the location for questioning, either his residence or office. We are also flexible with the timing that suits him,” said Harendra Singh, Additional DCP (north).

Forensic report awaited

“The forensic report of the CCTV footage [of the night of the incident] procured from Mr. Kejriwal’s house is yet to come,” added Mr. Singh.

“We have already questioned Mr. Kejriwal’s former adviser V.K. Jain and 11 MLAs who were present at the Chief Minister’s residence when the incident happened.

After Mr. Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia will also be called for questioning,” said a senior police officer.

The Chief Secretary had alleged that he was assaulted by some AAP MLAs at Mr. Kejriwal’s residence on the night of February 19, in the presence of the Chief Minister. On February 22, AAP legislators Amanatullah Khan and Prakash Jarwal were arrested for the alleged assault. They were later released on bail.