Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met the family of the girl who was stabbed to death in west Delhi for protesting harassment
A meeting between Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi Police Chief BS Bassi today ended up underscoring their conflict surrounding the brutal murder last week of a 19-year-old girl, who was stabbed over 30 times for reportedly protesting against harassment.
One of Mr Kejriwal's ministers, Satyendra Jain, came out of the meeting accusing Mr Bassi of taking the crime lightly. "It is not acceptable that a girl was stabbed 32 times and it was not taken seriously. We have serious objections to the police calling it a dispute and saying that the girl had insulted her killers," he said.
The Delhi Police chief said there was "no question" of being insensitive.
"If there are expectations that are not within the purview of law, or are based on ignorance of rules, those expectations cannot be met as the responsibility of the police is not just to provide succour to the victim but to protect society in general," Mr Bassi told reporters.
In the 90-minute meeting, Mr Bassi was asked to furnish a set of lists, including one of pending complaints related to crimes against women, and one of beat constables in the city. He refused to any list, said Mr Jain. "We told him ok give it to your boss, the Prime Minister. But the commissioner said that PM is already so preoccupied, he doesn't have time for all this," he said.
Mr Kejriwal says the teen's killing is an example of police inefficiency and the reason why his government - not the union home ministry - should be in charge of the city police.
Mr Bassi, however, said he believed Delhi was fortunate to have a system in which the police could work impartially, without fear or favour, without political pressure.
After meeting the girl's family, Mr Kejriwal had said on Sunday: "I request Prime Minister Narendra Modi with folded hands that the control of the Delhi Police be handed over to us. He has to run the whole country."