During the morning hours on Monday when the drive was started amid the presence of police personnel, hundreds of people including traders, shopkeepers and area residents gathered to protest.
New Delhi: Hours after trying to carry out an anti-encroachment drive in Shaheen Bagh, South Delhi Municipal Corporation on Monday lodged a police complaint against Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan and his supporters for creating obstruction in duty. Earlier, Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta asked the SDMC mayor to approach police against the MLA and his aides.
SDMC’s Central Zone licensing inspector, in a complaint to the concerned police station, said that an anti-encroachment drive was scheduled on Monday on the main road in Shaheen Bagh area. The corporation’s field staff along with police force reached there to carry out the drive accordingly. “AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan and his aides do not allow the civic agency to carry out the action of encroachment removal. Therefore, it is requested to initiate legal action against the MLA and others who supported him for their interference in discharge of official duties by public servants.
The development took place after SDMC Mayor Mukesh Suryan wrote to the municipal commissioner to lodge an FIR against AAP MLA Khan and other leaders for not allowing to carry out an anti-encroachment drive. Suryan, in his letter, had stated that Delhi BJP chief has apprised him that a few political leaders have obstructed the pre-scheduled action in Shaheen Bagh.
Demanding legal action against the AAP and Congress leaders who obstructed the SDMC’s anti-encroachment drive on Monday, state BJP chief also wrote a letter to the Delhi Police Commissioner.
During the morning hours on Monday when the drive was started amid the presence of police personnel, hundreds of people including traders, shopkeepers and area residents gathered to protest. Local area MLA, who was present at the spot, said that all illegal structures have already been removed. He alleged that the agency has brought the bulldozer and put it here to show that I am obstructing their work to remove the encroachment.
Opposition parties, however, opposed the civic body’s anti-encroachment drive in Shaheen Bagh area. Seeking stay on the drive, CMP (M) approached the Supreme Court. The court, however, asked CPI (M) to withdraw the petition and go to the High Court. Refusing to accept the plea, the Apex Court said that it would have heard the matter if the ‘aggrieved party had come’.
The CPI, in its plea, had urged the court to impose a stay on the demolition for at least a couple of days. The court, however, said that ‘not at your behest’. “Why is CPI(M) filing the petition? We are there to protect livelihoods but not like this,” the court said, adding that, “Either you withdraw or we dismiss your plea.”
