New Delhi: Delhi Minister Atishi on Sunday said a notice issued by the city police in connection with the MLA poaching allegations she made had no mention of an FIR or inclusion of penal provisions, news agency PTI reported.
Addressing a press conference, Atishi expressed sympathy for the Crime Branch officers and said that they were being compelled by their "political bosses" to engage in what she referred to as "theatrics."
"At present, the Delhi Police's Crime Branch has served notices to both Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and me. However, it's crucial to note that the notice lacks any reference to an FIR and does not cite any sections from the IPC (Indian Penal Code), CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure), PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act), or Prevention of Corruption Act," PTI quoted the AAP minister as saying.
Notably, the Delhi Police's Crime Branch team visited Atishi's residence on Sunday, serving her a notice related to the BJP's alleged attempt to "poach" AAP MLAs. According to police sources, the notice was received by Atishi's staff during the second visit by the Crime Branch team on Sunday at 12.55 pm, PTI reported.
The notice urged CM Kejriwal and Atishi to provide information regarding the poaching allegations against the BJP, given their public comments suggesting they are aware of certain details related to the commission of a cognizable offence. The response to the notice is expected by February 5.
This development follows a similar notice served to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday by the Crime Branch, requesting a response within three days regarding his claims that the BJP sought to poach seven AAP MLAs.
"It is disheartening to see a sitting minister (Delhi Minister Atishi) using such words for a public servant. Seeing her press conference today, it can be concluded that she has very little knowledge of Law. I would request AAP leaders not to create hurdles before police and instead prove their honesty," BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj told PTI, in response to Atishi's remarks.
Accusing CM Kejriwal of making "baseless allgeations", BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli told ANI, "Arvind Kejriwal seems to be in a habit of making a statement with no basis. He made a statement with regard to an allegation of corruption in the Chandigarh election. He's running away from the police investigation in that, not joining it. His government and his party colleagues are facing a serious investigation about a scam in Delhi, in the liquor scam...He is not joining the investigation and these are serious allegations of corruption."
The notices stem from statements made by Kejriwal and Atishi on January 27, alleging that the BJP attempted to lure AAP MLAs with offers of Rs 25 crore each and a ticket for the upcoming assembly polls, aiming to “destabilise” the AAP government. The BJP refuted these claims, dismissing them as "false" and "baseless," challenging the chief minister to provide evidence supporting the allegations.