Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's posters was on Wednesday defaced calling him 'murderer' after a distressed farmer from Rajasthan committed suicide in full public view in the presence of Kejriwal, at the Aam Aadmi Party's rally in the national capital.

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

The posters at the bus stand near India gate were defaced with a 'cross' painted over it saying 'Hatyara Arvind Kejriwal' (Killer Arvind Kejriwal).

41-year-old Gajendra Singh, a resident of Dausa district and father of three, took his life by hanging himself from a tree on Wednesday, while Arvind Kejriwal was addressing a farmers rally on the issue of Land Acquisition Ordinance.

Describing the suicide of a farmer at his rally venue as "extremely sad incident", Kejriwal ordered a magisterial inquiry into the matter.

Also read: Rajasthan farmer suicide: Opposition gets a martyr in Land Bill

Delhi Government has asked District Magistrate of the area (New Delhi District) to probe into the entire incident.

Delhi Police have also registered an FIR against unknown persons in connection with the alleged suicide and probe has been handed over to the Crime Branch. The case has been registered under sections 186 (Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 306 (Abetment of suicide), 304 A (Causing death by negligence) of Indian Penal Code.

Meanwhile, Gopal Singh, the victim's uncle, said, "Gajendra was under stress and disturbed due to loss of crop." "He took the extreme step due to unexpected loss. He earned his livelihood through farming and after the loss, he was disturbed," Gopal said.

However, the Dausa district administration countered the family's claim, saying, loss of crop "does not appear to be the reason" behind it.  "Loss to crops does not appear to be a reason of suicide. His family's financial condition is fine and they have farm houses and his uncle is the local village sarpanch," Dausa's Additional District Collector, Kailash Sharma said.

Also read: Suicide kicks off political slugfest

Even as Arvind Kejriwal came under fire for continuing with his speech as the tragedy of the farmer's suicide unfolded at Jantar Mantar, AAP leader Ashutosh, in a mocking statement, said that the next time anybody tries to commit suicide, he would tell Delhi CM to climb the tree and rescue him.

"If Arvind had stopped his speech midway, there would have been a stampede-like situation. And why are we being blamed? What did the policemen do? Not even a single policeman moved despite repeated requests by the CM.

"The next time anyone tries to commit suicide, I will ask the Delhi CM to climb the tree and save him," he said before, later, apologising for the statement.

Timeline:

1:25 pm: Arvind Kejriwal arrives to the rally. Gajendra Singh has been sitting in the tree for a over an hour

1:30 pm: Gajendra Singh seen tying the gamcha around his neck

1:45 pm: Kumar Vishwas seen telling police, public to bring Singh down from the tree. People climb up to help him

1:55 pm: Gajendra falls to the ground

2:10 pm: Gajendra brought to the RML hospital by the AAP volunteers, where he was pronounced dead

For more coverage: www.iamin.in