The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday clarified that it would not challenge the findings of the ongoing judicial inquiry into allegations of vigilantism targeting women of African nationalities in the Khirki Extension area of South Delhi about a week ago, even if the probe finds him at fault.
Talking to The Hindu AAP spokesperson Prof. Anand Kumar said: “We remain non-judgmental about the roles of Mr. Bharti and the policemen during the concerned episode. We asked for the suspension of the policemen because SHOs are in a position to manipulate the evidence and influence the probe. As a Law Minister, he is not in a position to influence the probe; neither has he any control over the judiciary.”
“There will be no course left if the probe finds Mr. Bharti responsible,” he added. But Prof. Kumar said another incident of the incident of a woman being burnt by her in-laws had been forgotten by people as well as by authorities.
“The woman who was burnt by her in-laws later succumbed to her injuries. Every thing was done in full knowledge of the local police. Our dharna was against that episode as well but that tragedy stays largely on the margins of the media narrative on our stand against the police laxity and criminality,” said Prof. Kumar.
Prof. Kumar regretted that women’s body like the National Commission of Women has not taken any stand on the issue.
Rebel MLA demands Bharti’s resignation
The demands for resignation of Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti grew louder with Aam Aadmi Party’s rebel MLA Vinod Kumar Binny joining the chorus on Wednesday. Mr. Bharti’s trouble increased after one of the African women assaulted in a midnight raid in South Delhi accused him of having led the group that allegedly barged into her house and attacked the occupants.
Talking to The Hindu, Mr. Binny demanded immediate resignation of Mr. Bharti.
Published - January 23, 2014 10:48 am IST
