Delhi High Court Closes PIL On Vandalism Outside CM Kejriwal's Residence, Directs Police To Ensure Implementation Of Security Measures

The Delhi High Court on Thursday disposed of a public interest litigation filed by Aam Aadmi Party MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj seeking an SIT investigation into the incident of attack and vandalism outside the official residence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on March 30.

Bhardwaj had alleged that the violence was done by "goons of the Bharatiya Janata Party" under the garb of protest.

A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad was informed by Bhardwaj's counsel that the grievances raised in the plea stand satisfied in view of the assurances given by the Delhi Police in various status reports submitted before the court.

Closing the plea, the court directed the Delhi Police to ensure that the steps enumerated in status reports regarding safety and security of CM residence are implemented.

"No further orders are required for in the present writ petition. The same is accordingly disposed of…..," the court ordered.

Calling it a direct attack on democracy, the plea moved through Advocate Bharat Gupta had sought an independent, fair and time bound criminal investigation into the attack and directions for ensuring the security of the Chief Minister and his residence.

It further alleged that the Delhi Police completely abdicated its duty, without any regard for the fact that they were protecting an elected constitutional functionary who was given Z+ security by the police itself.

The Court had earlier expressed dissatisfaction at the report filed by the Delhi Police with respect to the security arrangement made outside CM residence.

It had directed the Commissioner of Delhi Police to look into the lapse and inquire into: firstly, whether bandobast was adequate; secondly, the reasons for failure of arrangements; and thirdly, fix responsibility for the admitted lapse.

Case Title: Saurabh Bhardwaj v. Delhi Police & Anr.

Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (Del) 1037