Arvind Kejriwal, Lt Governor Saxena Trade Barbs Over Delhi Law & Order After DCP's Conference

LG Saxena addressed a DCPs' conference where he said the recent Kanjhawla hit-and-drag incident and the Shraddha Walkar murder case show a "glaring lacuna" in policing at the field level.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena

Source : Getty Images

New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lt Governor VK Saxena engaged in a war of words over the law and order situation after the latter held a meeting with senior officers of the Delhi Police on Tuesday.

After Saxena’s meeting with Delhi Police deputy commissioners, CM Kejriwal took a dig at him saying "it felt good to know that the LG finally held a meeting over law and order".

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader’s swipe drew a retort from Saxena who said, “The Chief Minister will be happy to know that I review the law and order situation with the Commissioner of Police/Special Commissioners every week. Despite the challenges, the Delhi Police is doing a commendable job. Reasonable praise and condemnation of the police is a part of my inclusive-neutral working style. Hope you will also learn.”

This comes after Kejriwal, in a tweet in Hindi, wrote, “It felt good to know that the LG finally held a meeting over law and order. The LG should pay attention on law and order and hold such meetings frequently.”

As Saxena replied saying a genuine mix of praise and condemnation of the police is part of his working style, the chief minister tweeted back, “I am surprised you are satisfied with the law and order situation in Delhi. In the past one year, the law and order situation has deteriorated. People have started feeling very insecure. It means whatever is being done is not enough. Focus on this, rather than indulging in politics and impeding the work meant for the people of Delhi.”

मुझे आश्चर्य है आप दिल्ली की क़ानून व्यवस्था से संतुष्ट हैं। पिछले 1 वर्ष में क़ानून व्यवस्था बहुत ख़राब हो गयी है। लोग बहुत असुरक्षित महसूस करने लगे हैं। इसका मतलब जो भी किया जा रहा है, वो पर्याप्त नहीं है।

रोज़ दिल्ली वालों के काम रोकने, राजनीति करने की बजाय इस पर ध्यान दीजिए https://t.co/sg5qWQaTbN

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 22, 2023

Notably, LG Saxena on Tuesday addressed a DCPs' conference at the Delhi Police headquarters where he said the recent Kanjhawla hit-and-drag incident and the Shraddha Walkar murder case show a "glaring lacuna" in policing at the field level.

He also flagged a host of other issues, including corruption, high-handedness of police and investigation loopholes.

Saxena also urged the force to "ensure proactive pre-emptive measures to ensure safety and security at all levels" in view of the upcoming G-20 Summit.