The attack allegedly took place in front of the CM; IAS Association Secretary complains to Lt Governor, says attack a 'planned conspiracy'
The Delhi Police registered an FIR against AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan and others on a complaint by Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash
Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash was allegedly assaulted by AAP MLAs in a meeting at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence, sparking protests on Tuesday and threats of a pen-down strike in government offices in the capital. The ruling AAP denied the allegation even as the IAS Association Secretary, Manisha Saxena, complained to Lt. Governor Anil Baijal, claiming the attack on Monday night was a "planned criminal conspiracy" against the top bureaucrat.
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IAS Association Secretary Manisha Saxena along with other IAS officers, leaves after meeting Lt Governor Anil Baijal over the alleged manhandling of Prakash. Pics/PTI
Speaking to the media, Saxena said they have asked the Lt. Governor to take strict action against the accused MLAs. "For the past couple of years, officers have been insulted and humiliated in public. The attack on the Chief Secretary is an attempt to intimidate the bureaucracy to toe the line of the powers that be," she said.
Delhi government says
But Delhi government spokesperson Nagendar Sharma denied the allegations. Sharma said during a meeting at Kejriwal's residence on the "faulty implementation" of Aadhaar that "deprived about 2.5 lakh families of ration", the CS refused to answer questions saying he was only answerable to the Lt. Governor. "He even used bad language against some MLAs and left without answering any questions.
"Obviously, he (the Chief Secretary) is doing it at the BJP's behest. The BJP has stooped very low in disrupting governance in Delhi through the Lt. Governor and officers. "If the Chief Secretary can make such wild allegations, one can imagine the kind of obstacles that are being created in AAP government's work by BJP through the officers," he said.
AAP MLA Prakash Jarwal lodged a complaint against the Delhi CS a day after he was accused of manhandling him. Meetings to be boycotted. The three associations of officers of the IAS (Indian Administrative Service), DANICS (Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service) and DSSS (Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board) said they will boycott all meetings called by Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues until the CM apologised for the incident.
MHA seeks report on incident
"I am deeply pained by the happenings involving the chief secretary of the Delhi government. The civil servants should be allowed to work with dignity and without fear," Home Minister Rajnath Singh said about the incident in a tweet. The home ministry has sought a report on the incident from the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and "justice will be done".
Attack a conspiracy: Delhi chief secy
Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash alleged that an assault on him at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence was "premeditated" and a "conspiracy" of all those who were present at a meeting there on Monday night. He also claimed he was roughed up.
In his complaint to DCP (North) seeking action, Prakash alleged that Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and 11 AAP MLAs were present at the meeting where they threatened to "implicate" him in false cases if the issue of releasing TV advertisements about the AAP government's achievements was not resolved.
One of the MLAs, he alleged, threatened him, saying that he (Prakash) would be confined to the room for the entire night if he did not agree to releasing the TV campaign. He said in his complaint that he was also told he would be implicated in "false cases including under the SC/ST Act".
"Khan and the other MLA on my left side whom I can identify, without any provocation from my side, started hitting and assaulting me and hit several blows with fists on my head and temple," he said. He said with difficulty, he managed to leave the room and get into his official car and leave.
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