National Desk, 19th May: Tensions escalated in Delhi on May 19 as the Delhi Police detained Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers who were protesting against the arrest of its party leaders outside the BJP headquarters.
According to the police, section 144 has been imposed in the area, and there is no permission for protests as AAP leaders and workers marched towards the BJP HQ in opposition to the arrest of their party leaders.
Earlier, authorities had clarified that AAP leaders did not seek permission for their march to the BJP headquarters, leading to the denial of permission for the protest.
Meanwhile, AAP chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of launching “Operation Jhaadu” to arrest and jail top AAP leaders. Kejriwal’s remarks came as AAP workers marched towards the BJP headquarters to protest the arrest of his aide Bibhav Kumar in connection with the alleged assault case of Swati Maliwal.
Addressing AAP workers and leaders at the party office, Kejriwal said, “BJP and PM Modi have started ‘Operation Jhaadu’ so that we don’t grow big and become a challenge to them. Through ‘Operation Jhaadu’, AAP’s big leaders will be arrested, they are being arrested and in the coming days, AAP’s bank accounts will be frozen.”
Furthermore, Kejriwal revealed that the ED’s lawyer had earlier stated that AAP’s bank accounts would be frozen after the elections. He warned, “If they freeze our account now, we will get sympathy, but after the election, they will freeze our accounts, clear our office, and bring us to the streets.”
Amidst the situation, the Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory stating that DDU Marg, where the BJP office is located, “may be closed for traffic movement between 11 am to 2 pm”. Additionally, the Delhi Metro authority announced the closure of entry and exit at ITO Metro station until further notice.
Meanwhile, Kejriwal’s aide Bibhav Kumar, arrested on Saturday in connection with the May 13 assault case, is likely to be taken to the Chief Minister’s residence on Sunday to recreate the crime scene.
In a press conference held hours after Kumar’s arrest, CM Kejriwal announced his intention to march to the BJP office and dared the “Prime Minister to send anyone he wants to jail”.
The Delhi Police, in its remand paper submitted late Saturday evening seeking seven days custody of Bibhav Kumar, stated that it was a “serious case” where the “brutal assault” could have turned “fatal”.