Arvind Kejriwal's backing of Mayank Gandhi shows 'double standards': BJP

Delhi BJP on Monday charged that the move by AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal to come out in support of his party's leader Mayank Gandhi after the latter was booked by Mumbai Police for abetting sexual abuse only shows his "double standards".

Hitting out at the AAP leader for expressing solidarity with Gandhi, Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay said, "In place of consoling the AAP woman worker who was sexually harassed, Kejriwal has defended the accused (Gandhi), which shows the AAP chief's double standards."

In a tweet yesterday, Kejriwal had said, "I feel v bad for Mayank. Completely false case slapped against him. Mayank, we all r wid u. It may take time but truth will win. God bless u (sic)."

I feel v bad for Mayank. Completely false case slapped against him. Mayank, we all r wid u. It may take time but truth will win. God bless u

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) September 21, 2014

Slamming Kejriwal, Upadhyay said, "Had the incident been connected with workers of some other political party, then Kejriwal would have started a dharna. But since the case is connected to his party colleague, he is saying it is false." According to Mumbai Police, Gandhi was among six persons booked on September 19 after a 21-year-old female AAP volunteer filed a criminal complaint against them.

"The offence had occurred in April this year in suburban Oshiwara, ahead of Lok Sabha elections," Additional Commissioner of Police in Mumbai, Milind Bharambe, had said.

While AAP activist Tarun Singh has been booked under Section 354(a) (sexual harassment), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of IPC, Gandhi and four others were booked for abetting the crime, Mumbai Police has said.

Upadhyay further said that the Women's Commission in Mumbai should take cognisance of the matter and provide security to the said woman AAP worker.