Tag: Delhi

Kejriwal’s plight

Poor, poor, Arvind Kejriwal.
Ever since he was arrested on 21st March in connection with the massive liquor scam he was expecting millions of people to turn out in protest by holding massive demonstrations in the streets of India, particularly in Delhi. But no one seemed to be interested. No one is happy at the prospect of becoming a shaheed ( martyr ) for this modern ‘Stalin’ ( I call him that as he has said in his message delivered through his wife Sunita ” Aapka bhai lohe ka bana hai ” ), who has since long departed from all his professed principles of integrity, etc

In the above message of 23rd March Kejriwal appealed to people to go to temples to pray for him. None did. They preferred celebrating Holi with gusto ( despite appeals by AAP leaders not to celebrate it ).
In his message Kejriwal also said ” ” Whether inside or outside, every moment of my life is dedicated to serving the country. Every drop of my blood is dedicated to the country,”
This was laughable. The public has understood by now, after bitter experience, that every moment of Kejriwal’s life is dedicated not to serving the people, but to his idea how he can remain in power by hook or crook, and even become Prime Minister one day, for which he regards himself fully deserving. He has mastered the art of Machiavellian ‘realpolitik’.
Even Anna Hazare, on whose ‘imaandaari’ movement Kejriwal rode piggy back, now condemns him.

Kejriwal added in his message that no bar could keep him inside, and he would soon return. He probably imagines he is a Lord Krishna, who after his birth was miraculously taken out of the jail of his mama Kansa. Or perhaps he believes that the jail walls will be stormed and he will be rescued by a huge crowd, like the revolutionaries who stormed the Bastille in Paris on 14th July 1789.
None of that will happen. Kejriwal seems to be in for the long haul
But here is a suggestion for AAP leaders and members who want Kejriwal to be released soon :

When I was a lawyer in Allahabad High Court, and there was a threat that a Meerut Bench of the High Court may be created ( thus drastically reducing our incomes, since Western UP districts were relatively affluent compared to eastern UP districts, and its people good paymasters ), we lawyers of the High Court went on a long strike.
Among the things we lawyers did was to dig a huge ‘agnikund’ ( pit of fire ) inside the High Court premises, into which we threw a lot of wood, set it on fire, and when the flames were leaping high, threatened to collectively jump into it, like a ‘jauhar’ committed by the women of Chittorgarh.
This did the trick, and the government, frightened out of its wits, announced that it had withdrawn the proposal to create a Bench.
I am sure Kejriwal will be released soon after AAP folk do the same ( but I advise them not to actully jump into the bonfire, only keep giving threats ).

March 27, 2024
G20 Summit in Delhi: All schools, offices, banks to be shut from Sep 8-10

In anticipation of the impending G20 Culmination, planned to be held in Delhi from September eighth to tenth, the Indian government has declared a progression of safety efforts, including the brief conclusion of all schools, workplaces, and banks in the capital city during the highest point days.
The G20 Culmination is a huge worldwide occasion that unites pioneers from the world’s biggest economies to examine and resolve worldwide monetary and monetary issues. This year, the culmination will check the sixteenth gathering of the Gathering of Twenty (G20), with pioneers expected to ponder on basic matters, for example, environmental change, exchange, and monetary recuperation in the post-pandemic time.
As a component of the safety efforts, the Delhi government has chosen to close all instructive organizations, workplaces, and banks from September eighth to September tenth. This choice intends to guarantee the wellbeing and security of the representatives and members going to the highest point.
Mr. Rajesh Kumar, a representative for the Delhi government, expressed, “The wellbeing and security of the G20 Culmination are of vital significance to us. To work with the smooth direct of the highest point and to keep a safe climate, we have chosen to close all schools, workplaces, and banks in Delhi from September eighth to tenth. We apologize for any bother this might cause to the general population, yet it is a vital stage to guarantee the progress of the highest point.”
Moreover, the public authority has declared severe traffic limitations and redirections in and around the culmination setting. These actions are planned to smooth out traffic stream and limit disturbances during the occasion.
The conclusion of instructive establishments during the G20 Highest point has ignited blended responses among guardians and understudies. While a value the public authority’s obligation to security, others are worried about the interruption to their day to day schedules.
Mr. Anil Sharma, a parent of two school-going youngsters, communicated his perspectives, saying, “I figure out the requirement for security during the culmination, yet it’s a piece badly designed for guardians who should make substitute game plans for their kids’ consideration and oversight during nowadays.”
The Delhi Police, in a joint effort with focal security organizations, is investigating every possibility to guarantee the wellbeing of representatives and occupants the same. Security faculty will be sent en masse, and reconnaissance estimates will be uplifted all through the city.
The G20 Highest point is supposed to draw huge consideration, with pioneers from 19 nations and the European Association set to join in. State head Narendra Modi, who is facilitating the culmination, has accentuated the significance of cultivating worldwide participation to address worldwide difficulties.

All in all, the conclusion of schools, workplaces, and banks in Delhi from September eighth to tenth fills in as a demonstration of India’s obligation to facilitating a solid and effective G20 Highest point. While it might burden a few inhabitants, the actions are considered significant to guarantee the wellbeing of the representatives and the smooth direct of the occasion.

August 23, 2023
Delhi businesses suffer Rs 200 crore losses due to floods

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New Delhi: An estimated Rs 200 crore worth of business has been affected due to rains and flooding in parts of the national capital, a traders’ body said on Thursday.

While appealing to traders to suspend movement of goods from other cities for next few days in view of the rising water level of the Yamuna river, the Chamber of Trade and Industry said that the markets of Old Delhi, Kashmiri Gate, Mori Gate, Monestry Market, Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid, Bhagirath Place, Lajpat Rai Market, Kinari Bazar , Fatehpuri, Khari Baoli, Naya Bazar have been affected.
“We appeal to the traders and market associations of old Delhi to halt movement of goods from outside in the next few days,” Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) chairman Brijesh Goyal said.

New Delhi: National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel rescue residents from the flood-affected Old Usmanpur village, in New Delhi, Thursday, July 13, 2023. The Yamuna water level touched 208.53 metres on Thursday morning, breaking a 45-year-old record, according to officials. (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist Lav)
New Delhi: NDRF personnel resuce a livestock at flood-hit at Nigam Bodh Ghat as the swollen Yamuna river floods low-lying areas, in New Delhi, Thursday, July 13, 2023. The torrential Yamuna in Delhi swelled to a staggering 208.48 metres Thursday morning, inundating nearby streets and public and private infrastructure, and causing immense hardships to people living in close proximity to the river. (PTI Photo)
Kashmiri Gate Market President Vinay Narang said that there is a possibility of a loss of more than Rs 50 crore due to 3-4 days of rain, whereas CTI estimated that a business of about Rs 200 crores have been affected due to rains.
“The rising water level in Yamuna is affecting Delhi markets badly. Business has almost come to a standstill. Traders are waiting for the situation to return to normal. The customers coming from nearby cities have also postponed the plan. Railways stopped the movement of trains on the old iron bridge, many train routes have been changed, while some have also been cancelled. Even more traders and buyers are not coming to Delhi,” Goyal said.
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( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

July 13, 2023
Kejriwal House Row: LG seeks chief secy’s report on Delhi CM’s house renovation

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New Delhi: Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena has sought a detailed report from the chief secretary within a week into allegations levelled by Congress leader Ajay Maken about “extravagant” expenditure and violations in the renovation of the chief minister’s official residence.
Also, the National Green Tribunal has formed a panel, which includes the chief secretary, to ascertain the factual position after a petition claimed violation of environmental norms by the public works department (PWD) in carrying out constructions at the chief minister’s residence and properties adjacent to it.
However, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) hit out at Maken over his letter to the LG in which he has sought a probe into the alleged violations, calling him a puppet of the BJP in Delhi and stating that false claims were being made to tarnish Kejriwal’s image.

In a letter to the LG, Congress’ senior spokesperson Ajay Maken had claimed that the amount spent on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence was not Rs 45 crore but Rs 171 crore and that too during the time of the Covid pandemic when people were struggling to get hospital beds and oxygen.
Maken had also expressed his deep concern and disappointment regarding the “extravagant” expenditure, environmental damage, and violation of heritage protection and zonal plans in the construction of the chief minister’s residence in Delhi.
After receiving the letter, the L-G in a communication to the chief secretary directed that a report be submitted to him within seven days.
“Hon’ble LG has desired that a detailed report on each of the issues raised in the aforesaid representation be furnished within seven days,” the communication read.
The NGT, meanwhile, asked the committee it has set up to submit a report within three weeks and in case of violations, take remedial action in coordination with the statutory authorities in accordance with law.

It was hearing a petition alleging permanent and semi-permanent constructions were raised and more than 20 trees cut in the course of developing 6, Flag Staff Road (CM’s residence) and 45-47 Rajpur Road (properties adjoining it).
“In view of the significance of the requirement of compliance for cutting trees and providing green belt as a condition for constructions in the congested and polluted city of Delhi, we consider it necessary to ascertain the factual position by constituting a joint committee ,” a bench of chairperson Justice A K Goel said.
The bench constituted the committee comprising the chief secretary and Principal Secretary (Environment & Forest) of Delhi along with a nominee of the Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) and the District Magistrate of North Delhi.
“Meeting of the committee may be held within one week and report may be furnished within three weeks from today The committee will be free to interact with any other department or authority and undertake a visit to the site and it may meet online or offline as may be found viable,” the bench said.
The AAP alleged that the BJP and Congress are colluding against it.
“Everyone knows that this is a false case meant to tarnish the image of Kejriwal ji. Ajay Maken’s complaint shows that BJP and Congress are both together and working against AAP,” it alleged in a statement on the LG’s decision.
“Ajay Maken is a puppet of the BJP in Delhi. What does the Congress have to say about the Rs 2000 cr liquor scam in Chhattisgarh?” the party said,
Claiming that the renovation of the chief minister’s house has violated the Master Plan Delhi (MPD) 2021, Maken had alleged that it has been constructed in the Civil Lines Old Bungalow Zone, an area protected under MPD 2021.
The AAP has maintained that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence was built in 1942 and the roof had collapsed thrice. Following the roof collapse incidents, the Public Works Department suggested a new house be built, the party had said `
“The construction of the new CM house has cost the exchequer around Rs 171 crore, with 15 out of 22 officers’ houses adjacent to CM’s house at Flagstaff Road being demolished or got vacated,” he said.
“The rest have been asked to not re-allot with time. This figure (Rs 171 crore) includes around Rs 126 crore spent on purchasing 21 new Type 5 flats in the CWG Village to compensate for the housing shortage,” the former Delhi Congress chief had claimed in the letter.
“I thus request you to conduct an inquiry into the matter. And if found guilty, grant sanction for prosecution of the principal beneficiary, the chief minister and the principal perpetrator the PWD minister of GNCTD,” Maken had said.
The BJP has accused the city’s AAP government of having splurged Rs 45 crore on renovating and refurbishing the official residence of Chief Minister Kejriwal.
(Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by Siasat staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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#Kejriwal #House #Row #seeks #chief #secys #report #Delhi #CMs #house #renovation
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 9, 2023
Ajay Maken writes to Delhi L-G seeking probe into renovation at Kejriwal’s residence

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New Delhi: A day after alleging that renovation work at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence cost Rs 171 crore and not Rs 45 crore, Congress leader Ajay Maken on Monday wrote to Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, requesting his immediate intervention to ensure that public money is not misused and to initiate a probe into the matter.
In the three-page letter to the L-G, Maken, who is a former Union minister, said, “I’m writing to express my deep concern and disappointment regarding the extravagant expenditure, environmental damage, and violation of heritage protection and zonal plans involved in the construction of the Chief Minister’s residence in Delhi.”
In the letter, the Congress leader alleged that the construction of the new CM House has cost the exchequer around Rs 171 crore, including the relocation of 22 officers’ bungalows, with 15 out of 22 houses adjacent to CM’s house on Flagstaff Road being demolished or being vacated.

He said that this figure includes around Rs 126 crore spent on purchasing 21 new Type 5 flats in CWG Village to compensate for the housing shortage.
Alleging violation of Master Plan Delhi (MPD) 2021, Maken said, “The new CM House has been constructed in the Civil Lines Old Bungalow Zone, an area protected under MPD 2021. The previous residence was a single-storey colonial-style building, which has been replaced by a three-storey structure with a basement (B+G+1+2) with a covered area of around 20,000 sq ft (almost double the previous covered area). This construction directly contradicts the MPD 2021 provisions, which aim to preserve the heritage and character of Lutyen’s Bungalow Zone and Civil Lines Old Bungalow Zone.”
He also cited damage to environment due to removal of 28 full-grown trees, which contradicts the provisions of MPD 2021 that emphasise the importance of preserving green cover in these protected zones.
The Congress leader alleged that work orders were seemingly split by PWD to keep them below Rs 10 crore, with the intent to avoid approval of the secretary/principal secretary, PWD (for works amounting to more than Rs 10 crore).
“This was allegedly done by engineers of PWD in collusion with then PWD Minister Satyendar Jain, as required by the delegation of financial powers,” he said.

He also alleged lack of concurrence from the finance department, deviations in procurement procedure and circumventing municipal laws and deceiving the Legislative Assembly.
“In light of these concerns, I kindly request your immediate intervention to address these issues and ensure that public money is not misused, environmental damage is minimised, and heritage protection and zonal plans are strictly adhered to in future development projects. Upholding the principles of transparency, accountability, and responsible governance is crucial for the betterment of our society and for safeguarding the interests of the citizens.
“I thus request you to conduct an inquiry into the above points. And if found guilty, grant sanction for prosecution of the principal beneficiary, the Chief Minister, and the principal perpetrator, then PWD Minister of GNCTD,” Maken said.
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#Ajay #Maken #writes #Delhi #seeking #probe #renovation #Kejriwals #residence
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 8, 2023
No matter how hard BJP tries, development work won’t stop in Delhi: Sisodia

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New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia, who is in judicial custody for his alleged involvement in the Delhi excise policy case, said on Monday that no matter how hard the BJP tries, development work will not be stalled in the national capital.
“Be it in Patparganj or other parts of Delhi, development work will not stop. No matter how hard the BJP people tries, no work will stop in Delhi,” Sisodia said after coming out of the Rouse Avenue Court, which extended his judicial custody till May 23.
The court also allowed an application moved by his legal team seeking permisson for Sisodia to sign certain documents for approving the disbursement of funds for development work in his constituency (Patparganj).

The ED had arrested Sisodia on March 9 after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested him on February 26 this year in the same case.
The ED has alleged that Sisodia was the mastermind behind the entire excise policy case and that he had deliberately leaked the policy to the co-accused to generate financial kickbacks.
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#matter #hard #BJP #development #work #wont #stop #Delhi #Sisodia

( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 8, 2023
Excise policy case: Delhi court grants bail to 2 accused citing ‘insufficient evidence’

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New Delhi: A Delhi court has granted bail to two accused persons in a money laundering case related to alleged excise scam, saying the evidence was not sufficient for the case against them to be considered prima facie “genuine”.
Special Judge M K Nagpal granted the relief to Rajesh Joshi and Gautam Malhotra on a personal bond of Rs two lakh each and one surety of like amount.
The same judge had dismissed AAP leader Manish Sisodia’s bail plea in the case on April 28 and in a related corruption case, being probed by the CBI, on March 31.

In connection with the bail plea by Joshi, the court said it was of the prima facie view that the evidence was not sufficient to make it believe that the case against him was genuine or that he was going to be held guilty of the offence of money laundering.
On Gautam Malhotra, the court said that the case of the prosecution as based on oral and documentary evidence “cannot be prima facie considered to be a genuine case”.
The judge further said in the order passed on May 6 that the mere apprehension that the accused may resort to commission of an offence again will not be sufficient to oppose bail.
He observed that Joshi was not in the liquor business and admittedly, he was also not a participant in any of the meetings which allegedly took place among the other co- accused or conspirators of the criminal conspiracy in connection with the formulation of the now-scrapped excise policy or its implementation.
Joshi is also not alleged to be a member of the ‘South lobby’ or the ‘liquor lobby’ of any region and hence, admittedly, he is not among the persons who are alleged to have paid the kickbacks to co- accused Sisodia or his other associates, and he is also not a recipient of the kickbacks or bribes, he noted.

On the ED’s claim that Joshi was involved in the transfer of advance kickback amount of around Rs 20 -30 crore that was allegedly used in the AAP election campaign for the 2022 Goa assembly polls, the court said there was nothing on record at this stage to link these payments.
It noted Joshi was arrested on February 8 and even prior to that, he was stated to have joined the investigation of this case, as well as that of the connected case being probed by the CBI.
Regarding Malhotra, it noted the ED had claimed that he had paid Rs 2.5 crore as bribe or kickbacks for the ‘South liquor lobby’ and this fact was specifically stated by co-accused Amit Arora.
However, it pointed out that approver Dinesh Arora expressed total ignorance about this transaction. “The statements on this aspect made by the approver cannot be sidelined or ignored at this stage as he is a star witness,” the judge said.
The court further dismissed the ED’s contention that Malhotra formed a cartel by participation in the liquor business of Delhi at all the three levels of manufacturing, wholesale and retail, and thus, he became a member of the super cartel and the criminal conspiracy with the other co- accused.
“Though the above cartel might have been formed in violation of provisions of the excise policy… it appears to be a pure business cartel formed to push the sale of liquor brands of the manufacturing unit(s) of the applicant,” it said.
The court noted it was the admitted case of prosecution that Malhotra had not played any role in the formulation of the excise policy and was even not a part of the ‘South lobby’ paying advance kickbacks of Rs 100 crore.
“Again, he is also not alleged to have paid any such advance kickbacks to co -accused Vijay Nair, other politicians of AAP or other public servants before or in connection with the formulation of the said policy,” the judge said.
The only allegation of payment of any money or bribe against him is in the form of payment of Rs 2.5 crore to co -accused Amit Arora in May 2022, when this policy had already been in operation for a considerable time, he noted.
Even the evidence in the form of a statement by co -accused Amit Arora about the payment of Rs 2.5 crore bribe by him is not convincing enough, the court said.
Regarding the ED’s claim that the accused received proceeds of crime of Rs 48.9 lakh through excess credit notes, it said no specific or connecting evidence showing any such cash payments against the amounts of credit notes has been produced.
The judge said Malhotra also deserved to be granted default bail since the ED filed an “incomplete” supplementary complaint against him and “it has apparently been filed to scuttle or defeat the right of applicant to seek default bail”.
He added that neither Joshi nor Malhotra can be considered a flight risk. The court directed both the accused persons not to leave the country without its permission or threaten or influence witnesses.
However, it is made clear that the observations made in this order are only for the purpose of deciding the bail applications of the applicants and nothing contained in this order shall tantamount to the expression of any opinion on merits of the case, the judge said.
Sisodia, who was arrested on March 9, is currently in judicial custody in the case. The court on April 28 dismissed his bail application in the case, saying the evidence prima facie “speaks volumes of his involvement in commission of the offence”.
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( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 7, 2023
Excise policy case: Delhi court lists ED’s charge sheet against Sisodia on May 10

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New Delhi: A Delhi court on Saturday posted for consideration the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) supplementary charge sheet filed against former deputy chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia in excise policy case on May 10.
The probe agency informed the Special CBI Judge M.K. Nagpal of Rouse Avenue Court that a proceed of a crime worth Rs 622 crore was generated due to the activities of the accused as excise minister.
On ED apprising the court that hard copy of the supplementary charge sheet has been filed, the judge directed it to file the soft copies of the charge sheet by May 8.

The probe agency had, on Thursday, filed a third supplementary charge sheet in the case naming Sisodia.
This is the first time that the ED has named Sisodia in its charge sheet in the matter. Earlier, the CBI, which is conducting a parallel probe into the excise policy case, had named Sisodia in its supplementary charge sheet.
The ED has alleged that Sisodia was the mastermind behind the entire excise policy case and that he had deliberately leaked the policy to the co-accused to generate financial kickbacks.
Sisodia is currently in judicial custody.
Judge Nagpal had, on April 29, also extended Sisodia’s custody till May 8 in the case registered by the ED.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought ED’s response on Sisodia’s bail plea.
Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma issued notice on Sisodia’s bail plea and another application seeking interim bail on the ground of his wife’s ill-health.
ED’s counsel Zoheb Hossain said that the response will be filed to both the bail applications within a week.
Accordingly, the court listed the matter for further consideration on May 11.
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( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 6, 2023
Church of North India in Delhi to spread message of Yamuna rejuvenation

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New Delhi: Priests of some churches in Delhi have decided to join hands to aid the efforts towards rejuvenation of the Yamuna river, following an appeal by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, officials said on Saturday.
This will prove to be a shot in the arm for the mission to clean the Yamuna as priests of several temples and imams of mosques in the city have already joined the initiative by the LG to help clean the river and remove garbage dumps in Delhi, they said.
The Church of North India (CNI) diocese of Delhi on Saturday issued an appeal asking all the presbyters, deacons, evangelists and ordinands to spread the message of Yamuna rejuvenation and solid waste management during the Sunday service at the churches.

“Committed and concerted goal-oriented efforts made by Lt Governor of Delhi, VK Saxena show positive results. He has appealed to the people of Delhi as indeed the Church to support the efforts being undertaken in rejuvenating the Yamuna and flattening the shameful mountains of waste situated in the Capital,” read the appeal issued by the bishop of the diocese of Delhi Paul Swarup.
Saxena heads the high-level committees formed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to deal with the issues of Yamuna pollution and solid waste management in the city.
The churches will appeal to the people to segregate dry and wet garbage, not throw waste in the Yamuna, recycle and reuse, and avoid dumping garbage in drains.
Following concerted and targeted efforts by the Delhi LG and his appeal to the people of Delhi to proactively participate in these efforts, varied groups and organisations have begun to rise to the occasion.
Imams of several mosques made similar appeals to the people during the Friday prayers.

In April, a training session chaired by the LG was conducted in which 500 temple priests were urged to act as change makers to educate people to stop dumping puja materials and other such items like idols and calendars into the Yamuna.
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( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 6, 2023
Delhi Police record statements of 7 women wrestlers in cases against WFI chief

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New Delhi: Delhi Police recorded the statements of seven women wrestlers in connection with the cases registered against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, officials said on Friday.
On April 28, Delhi Police registered two FIRs in connection with sexual harassment allegations levelled by the women wrestlers against Singh.
According to police, one of the cases against him was registered under IPC sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), and 354D (stalking), while the other was registered under section 10 of the POCSO Act.

An official said they have recorded the statements of the wrestlers and an investigation is underway.
The incidents mentioned in the FIRs allegedly took place between 2012 and 2022 at different places, including abroad.
The wrestlers have been staging a sit-in at Jantar Mantar since April 23. A scuffle allegedly broke out between the wrestlers and some police personnel on Wednesday night.
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( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 5, 2023