Arvind Kejriwal faces an 'Official' revolt, Services unite

Two AAP legislators were sent to jail and Arvind Kejriwal's adviser was questioned on Wednesday, as massive confrontations continued a day after Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash said he was assaulted at the Chief Minister's residence on Monday night.

The police had held Deoli MLA Prakash Jarwal on Tuesday night, while Okhla MLA Amantullah Khan surrendered on Wednesday. Bureaucrats continued their protest and refused to work with ministers, but went ahead with their daily assignments.

They sought Kejriwal's apology as support for them swelled from bureaucrats' bodies across the country. CS Prakash and two other IAS officers skipped the Delhi Assembly's proceedings.

The confrontations underline a breakdown of already soured equations between the national capital's ruling party and officials led by L-G Anil Baijal, who reports to the BJP-led Central government.

A Delhi court sent the two MLAs to prison till Thursday when their bail application will be heard, as it rejected the police's plea for a two-day custodial interrogation. The Metropolitan Magistrate directed a senior police official to personally monitor the case, terming it "highly sensitive".

The CM's adviser, VK Jain, was questioned by the police for three hours because he was present at the meeting. The CS has mentioned Jain in his complaint. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said it is examining a report from Baijal on the "pre-meditated" assault.

Bureaucrats also sought an appointment with President Ram Nath Kovind for action against those involved in the alleged attack.

AAP has denied the allegation and sought action for Prakash's "misconduct" at the meeting with the CM, in an escalation of its fight with the Centre over who has a greater control over the city-state.

"I haven't done anything wrong. The CS is working on BJPs directions, trying to deface the government. There is no evidence to prove that he was manhandled," said MLA Khan.

The CS has said he was assaulted over delays in release of advertisements to highlight the government's achievements. AAP has said the midnight meeting had been called to discuss complaints on ration distribution, and the official made casteist remarks.

The police said that the Chief Secretary has not specified the number of MLAs present at the meeting.

Delhi's unique status as a Union Territory means the state government has no say in policing, land and transfer-posting of bureaucrats — all under the L-G's control.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh said on Wednesday that the party was being hounded.

The case of an alleged assault on AAP Minister Imran Hussain is also being investigated by the police, but no arrest has been made.