The Delhi Election Office on Thursday served notice on the Aam Aadmi Party for violation of the Model Code of Conduct after the party staged a protest outside the Bharatiya Janata Party’s headquarters on Wednesday.
The AAP has been granted time till 3 p.m. on Friday to explain to the District Election Officer of the New Delhi constituency why action should not be initiated against it for holding a protest without permission from poll officials — a violation of the code of conduct.
The clash between the AAP volunteers and BJP workers saw stone-throwing, which left many injured. A first information report has been lodged against some AAP leaders, including Ashutosh and Shazia Ilmi.
“The Model Code of Conduct came into force yesterday [Wednesday] and permission has to be sought from the competent authority for holding any kind of gathering or procession related to elections,” said New Delhi District Election Officer Ameya Abhyankar.
Both Mr. Ashutosh and Ms. Ilmi were sent notices to join the investigations. Police teams were sent to Model Town where Mr. Ashutosh has an office and Greater Kailash where Ms. Ilmi resides. While Mr. Ashutosh was questioned at the Mandir Marg police station, Ms. Ilmi’s statement was recorded at the Parliament Street police station. They were confronted with an almost identical set of questions, that included some relating to their unlawful assembly and the violence that it culminated in having taken a violent turn.
Ashutosh and Shazia Ilmi addressing the media in New Delhi on Thursday.