The police took the action when the CM's office at his residence refused to part with CCTV footage
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence became a crime scene on Friday when a large number of cops spent 90 minutes, questioning the staff and scanning CCTV cameras for clues, four days after Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash was allegedly assaulted there.
The action prompted sharp reactions from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which called the Delhi police a "puppet" in the hands of the central government for entering the CM's residence "illegally."
The police seized the hard disks of 21 cameras, only 14 in working condition and all running 40:42 minutes late. Two AAP MLAs have already been arrested for Monday night's incident in Kejriwal's presence that has sparked a revolt by the entire bureaucracy.
A team of 15 officers led by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Harender Singh entered the house in North Delhi's Civil Lines to examine the scene of assault that has been confirmed by Kejriwal's adviser, VK Jain. Kejriwal was present at the house for an hour during the police operation, but later left for an event. "Forensic experts are analysing the footage. There is no camera installed in the drawing room where the alleged incident took place," said Singh.
Police said they had informed the CM office at his residence at 10 am on Friday about the search. There were 60-70 cops outside the residence after apprehensions that AAP supporters may gather and protest.
The police took the action when the CM's office at his residence refused to part with CCTV footage.
AAP leader Ashutosh said cops went inside the Chief Minister's residence only to "humiliate and insult him (Kejriwal)." "Without Modi government's directive, the police could not have indulged in such dadagiri," AAP MP Sanjay Singh tweeted.
At a press conference, AAP also played a two-and-half-minute clip showing senior police officials inside the residence, purportedly asking questions about wallpaint. "These questions are ridiculous and preposterous," said BS Joon, AAP counsel. However, police officials said that checking wallpaint was needed to know if any camera had been removed.
The police arrested Deoli MLA Prakash Jarwal on Tuesday night, while Okhla MLA Amantullah Khan surrendered on Wednesday. On Thursday, the court sent the two to 14-day judicial custody.
The Chief Secretary has said that he was assaulted over delays in release of advertisements to highlight the government's achievements. AAP has denied it and said the meeting had been called to discuss complaints on ration distribution, and the official made casteist remarks.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has received and is examining a report from the L-G on the "pre-meditated" assault.
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