Who authorised govt to stage a sit-in at Raj Niwas', Delhi HC comments on AAP's protest

High Court said that they cannot enter somebody’s house and stage a sit-in forcefully

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy anish Sisodia, AAP leaders Satyendra Kumar Jain and Gopal Rai during a sit-in protest at Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal’s residence, in New Delhi. Photo: PTI File

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court gave sharp comments on the sit-in protest staged by CM Kejriwal and other AAP leaders at Lieutenant Governor's office-cum-residence, Raj Niwas, on Monday.  

BREAKING: ''One cannot stage protest inside a house or office. The place of protest is a part of LG's office'', Delhi High Court comments on AAP's sit-in protest at LG House pic.twitter.com/Dgh55nLvfz

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) June 18, 2018

  Delhi government’s lawyer told the High Court that the IAS officers yesterday accepted that they are not attending meetings called by ministers.  To which the High Court said : ‘Thing is that you’re sitting on a dharna. Who authorized them to sit on a dharna like this?’ Lawyer replied that it is an individual decision. High Court then questioned, “Is it authorised”? High Court gave a sharp remark to the government saying that they cannot enter somebody’s house and stage a sit-in forcefully. The place where the Chief Minister is protesting is in fact a part of the lieutenant Governor’s office.

Delhi Govt Lawyer: IAS officers yesterday accepted they are not attending meetings called by ministers Delhi High Court: Thing is that you’re sitting on a dharna. Who authorized them to sit on a dharna like this? Lawyer: It’s an individual decision. Delhi HC: Is it authorized?

— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2018

Now the IAS association will also be made a party in the matter. The Court’s hearing will continue on Friday. Kejriwal’s protest today continues for eighth consecutive day. Delhi CM and some of his cabinet ministers are on a sit-in strike at Raj Niwas, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor, since June 11 demanding a direction to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers working under the Delhi administration to end their 'undeclared strike'. The party took out a protest march on Sunday to the prime minister's residence but the protesters were contained at Sansad Marg. For the same, the Delhi Police said no permission was sought for it, even as AAP leaders alleged that party supporters were being prevented from taking part in the rally. The IAS Officers' Association had earlier in the day told reporters that they feared for their safety under this government and had alleged that despite cases of assault on civil servants, there has been no assurance from the Chief Minister. "I wish to assure them that I will ensure their safety and security with all my powers and resources available at my command. I have given similar assurances earlier also to many officers who have been meeting me privately. I reiterate it today," Kejriwal had said in a letter posted on his Twitter account.