Centre defends Delhi Police’s action on Rahul, Kejriwal

New Delhi: The Centre today defended Delhi Police’s action after an ex-soldier allegedly committed suicide leading to detention of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

“It is not right to comment on the action of Delhi Police. They did not beat up anyone, neither did they resort to lathicharge on anyone. For maintaining law and order, some actions have to be taken,” Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir told reporters here.

Ahir’s remarks came after Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma briefed him about the detention of Rahul and Kejriwal after an ex-soldier allegedly committed suicide here.

During the 20-minute meeting, Verma apprised the Union Minister about the circumstances leading to the brief detention the Congress Vice President and the Delhi Chief Minister yesterday.

Ahir also said police have never taken into custody the family of ex-soldier Ram Kishan Grewal, who allegedly consumed poisonous tablets on Tuesday leading to his death.

The suicide by the army veteran over OROP snowballed into a huge political show with Rahul, Kejriwal and other opposition leaders attacking the Modi government on the issue while there was high drama after police detained and prevented them from entering a hospital yesterday.

The Congress Vice President was detained twice and was finally released last evening while restrictions were put on Kejriwal’s movements before he was briefly detained. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was kept in custody for close to 10 hours.

Ex-armyman’s suicide: Police prevent Rahul from marching to India Gate

New Delhi: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was today prevented from marching to India Gate to protest the suicide of an ex-serviceman, allegedly over OROP, a day after he was detained twice while trying to meet the family of the deceased soldier.

Rahul was leading a candle light march organised by the Delhi Congress unit from Jantar Mantar to India Gate when police personnel restrained him and whisked him away on a van.

He was, according to police, later dropped at a place on Feroze Shah Road, Police said.

The Congress leader, however, claimed in a tweet: “Was detained by Delhi police and taken away from Jantar Mantar.”

“Police vehicle was stopped at 5, Feroze Shah Road, enroute to Tughlak Road PS,” he tweeted.

“I have only one thing to say that the way the family was treated was wrong and it may affect the morale of the army.

The police should at least apologise to the family,” he told reporters.

A police official said the action was taken keeping Rahul’s security in mind as the crowd at Jantar Mantar was swelling by the minute.

Yesterday, Rahul was detained twice when he went to meet the family of Ram Kishan Grewal, who committed suicide over the “non-implementation” of One Rank One Pension (OROP).

PTI