Lieutenant Governor Didn't Consider Our View on Somnath Bharti's Prosecution: AAP

New Delhi: Delhi Home Minister Satyendra Jain today alleged that Lt Governor Najeeb Jung did not consider his advice before giving nod to prosecute AAP MLA Somnath Bharti in the 2014 Khirki Extension midnight raid case and said he would take up the issue with the council of ministers.

Mr Jain said the Lieutenant Governor's office went ahead without taking into consideration the Home department's advice as "he was in a hurry to take a decision on the issue".

"On July 3, the LG gave the police sanction to prosecute Bharti without considering the Home department's recommendation. On August 3, the Chief Minister's office received the file, which was later sent to me and on August 5, the LG's office called us asking to notify it at the earliest.

"It is so shocking that the LG's office is taking so much interest in notifying a prosecution sanction order. They also said if the Delhi government did not notify it, the LG's office would go ahead and notify it," Mr Jain said.

Mr Jain confirmed that he had yesterday sent back the file to the Lieutenant Governor's office.

He said the Lieutenant Governor was in a hurry and questioned as to why Mr Jung was "taking an interest in a particular case".

"If he wanted to take action on the merit of the case then he should have considered the Home department's view," Mr Jain said.

Citing a "difference of opinion", the Home Minister said he will take up the matter with the council of ministers.

"LG should work on the advice of council of ministers and as he has declined our advice. I will raise the issue before the council of ministers," he said.

He alleged that Mr Jung was working under pressure from BJP and following the party's instructions.

"I think he is working under immense pressure from BJP. This case is over one year old and he (LG) had complete control of Delhi during that time. He could have taken the decision then. What provoked him to give his nod just before the Special Assembly session? There should be no politics over these issues," he said.

Earlier this year, a court had asked police to get prosecution sanction against Bharti from the competent authority.

In its charge sheet filed in September last year, police had said that "nine African women were victims of molestation and manhandling by a mob led by Mr Bharti" in the Khirki Extension area.

On the intervening night of January 15-16, 2014, Mr Bharti and his supporters had allegedly forcibly detained and threatened some African women during a confrontation with police in his Malviya Nagar constituency over inaction against a suspected drug and prostitution racket.

Talking about AAP-LG fresh face-off on circle rates, Mr Jain said, "In last six months the LG's office has issued more press releases than it issued from February 2014 to 2015, when he had all the powers of the city. If he wanted to work, he should have acted then."

Mr Jain said that "buyers will not be losers" as new circle rates are on a par with market rates. "If government wants to acquire public land then it should be done at market rate. Why should public get lower rates?" he asked.