Aam Aadmi Party leaders Raghav Chadha, Atishi and a number of party leaders were detained today while on their way to Home Minister Amit Shah and Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's residences as part of their party's protest against alleged misappropriation of funds by BJP-controlled Delhi civic body.
The Delhi-based party, which has alleged Rs 2,457 crore fraud in New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), had planned the protest outside Mr Shah and Mr Baijal's residences to force the government to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into its allegations. The party had sought permission from the police to hold the protest but it was denied citing the coronavirus pandemic.
AAP has alleged that the North MCD had waived off Rs 2,457 crore which the South MCD was supposed to pay as rent for using the premises of the civic centre building in central Delhi which is officially the property of the North civic body.
"North MCD waived Rs 2,500 crore rent dues of South MCD, resulting in a loss to the public exchequer. Who is responsible for this corruption? On Sunday, we will go and meet the Union Home Minister and LG at 11 am. We will sit there till they give consent for CBI inquiry," Atishi said while addressing a press conference on Saturday.
"Time and again North MCD says we do not have money to pay for doctors, nurses and other workers. But it waives off Rs 2500 crore dues of South MCD," she said, adding that Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain has ordered a secretary-level inquiry into this.
On Saturday, the party had sought a permission from Delhi Police but it was denied citing the coronavirus pandemic.
In response, the Aam Aadmi Party questioned why the BJP leaders were allowed to protest outside Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence. Mayors and senior leaders of the three BJP-led municipal corporations have been holding protest outside Mr Kejriwal's residence to demand release of funds "due to the civic bodies".
Last week, AAP claimed Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's residence had been "attacked by BJP goons" with the support of police personnel meant to ensure the safety and security of Mr Sisodia and his family.
Shocking visuals from videos posted online by Mr Sisodia and AAP leaders Atishi and Raghav Chadha showed dozens of men marching up to the Deputy Chief Minister's residence and forcing their way past a handful of policemen as they enter Mr Sisodia's home.
Mr Sisodia, who was not home at the time, had tweeted: "Today, in my absence, BJP goons broke into my house and tried to attack my wife and children. You (tagging Union Home Minister Amit Shah, to whom Delhi Police reports) may have lost the political battle but this is how you will respond?"
A case has been filed and six people have been arrested in connection with the incident, according to news agency ANI.
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