New Delhi, July 18 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minster Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday sought a report from Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi after a 19-year-old girl was stabbed to death, and hit out at the Narendra Modi government over the “deteriorating” law and order situation in the capital.
Kejriwal also said he would summon Bassi.
He visited the victim’s family and announced financial assistance of Rs.5 lakh for them. Earlier in the day, the Delhi government ordered a magisterial probe into the matter.
The 19-year-old girl, Meenkashi, was killed after she objected to a man who allegedly abused her on Thursday in central Delhi’s Anand Parbat area.
“I will summon the Delhi Police commissioner on Monday. If Delhi Police is not accountable to the elected government, how will law and order be maintained?” Kejriwal said.
“The Delhi home minister has asked the police commissioner to submit a report within 48 hours,” he added.
He said either Modi should improve law and order in Delhi or hand over Delhi Police to the city government.
Delhi Police reports to the union home ministry.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who accompanied Kejriwal to meet the girl’s family, said police should take responsibility over this issue.
The city government blamed Delhi Police for the incident and said it could have been averted had police provided security to the girl who had repeatedly lodged complaints against the accused.
“A magisterial probe has been ordered into the matter,” said a Delhi government official.
“The family of the deceased girl had filed numerous complaints against the accused Jai Parkash since 2013 with police, alleging that he used to stalk the deceased and traumatise her, but no FIR was registered by police,” Delhi Home Minster Satyendra Jain wrote in a letter to Bassi.
The letter said “it was beyond comprehension that a crime has been perpetuated in the capital city despite prior complaints. Police in a way abetted the crime by their inaction”.
While Jai Parkash was arrested on Friday, his brother Ajay — another accused — was arrested on Saturday.