In response to the total law and order collapse in Delhi, Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal has called for the resignation of Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena. The Delhi CM along with other prominent members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has been continuously expressing deep concern over the escalating crime rates and the failure of the LG to ensure the safety and security of Delhi’s residents. However, despite the party’s requests, the LG has failed to take any concrete action on the issue. This morning another shocking incident came to light where bike-borne assailants stopped a car & robbed a man at gunpoint inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel. Reacting to the CCTV footage of the issue on Twitter, CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal wrote, “LG should resign and make way for someone who can provide safety and security to the people of Delhi. If the Central Government is unable to make Delhi safe, hand it over to us. We will show you how to make a city safe for its citizens.”
Addressing the issue, AAP Chief Spokesperson Ms Priyanka Kakkar stated that LG VK Saxena’s failure to control law and order is a consequence of him being an outsider. His lack of understanding of Delhi’s dynamics has resulted in a total collapse of law and order, she explained. She further emphasised the gravity of the situation, citing the Pragati Maidan incident. LG is disastrously failing at protecting Delhi, she lamented. Ms Kakkar strongly criticised the LG, accusing him of bringing “Jungle-Raj” to Delhi, where even hospitals, universities, and roads are no longer safe.
Demanding a change in leadership, Ms Priyanka Kakkar stated that LG should resign, and Delhi’s law and order should be handed over to the Kejriwal government. Just as we have transformed the education and health systems, we are fully committed to fixing the law and order system to ensure the safety and well-being of every citizen of Delhi, she said.
In a press conference held today, Ms Priyanka Kakkar stated, “We all witnessed the shocking video today in which four bike riders surrounded a car in broad daylight inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel, looted the money, and swiftly fled the scene. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident in Delhi. In the recent past, we have seen horrifying incidents like an elderly woman being brutally stabbed by young men, two young women being fatally shot at their own home, and an unclothed girl being dragged under a car for twenty kilometres.”
The AAP chief spokesperson emphasised the escalating crime rate in the city, supported by government statistics that corroborate the concerning trend. She said, “Citizen safety in Delhi seems to be compromised even within spaces like hospitals, universities, roads during the day, Tihar Jail etc. Crime rates are soaring, and Delhi is in the grip of utter lawlessness under the administration of LG Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena The recent occurrence of four murders on June 18 highlights the severity of the issue. Astonishingly, government statistics indicate that, on average, a murder takes place in Delhi every other day.”
On June 19, Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal took the initiative to address the matter by writing a letter to the LG, requesting a meeting. He noted that most police stations in Delhi are currently understaffed, operating at only 30 to 40 percent of their capacity, resulting in a shortage. Moreover, the CM earnestly urged the LG to reinstate a committee through which the MLAs in Delhi could earlier seek accountability from Station House Officers (SHOs) for the betterment of Delhi. The currently disbanded committee was established at the police station level to ensure accountability of the police to the MLAs.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Ms Priyanka Kakkar went on to emphasise the urgent need for an increased police presence. “The role of the police is of paramount importance for curbing crimes. However, with only 30 to 40% of the required personnel present in police stations, how can we expect them to effectively combat crime? Despite the availability of crucial files and reports, the understaffed police are not able to take adequate measures to track down criminals. Regular surveillance and close monitoring of criminals is imperative to tackle the escalating crime rates in Delhi, but the severe shortage of policemen hampers their efforts,” she stated.
Ms Priyanka Kakkar, also pointed out that the Delhi CM has persistently sought an appointment with the LG, underscoring the pressing need for his attention towards the law and order situation in Delhi. “Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal has repeatedly sought an appointment with the LG, urging him to prioritise the law and order situation in Delhi. It is evident that the current LG, being an outsider, lacks the necessary expertise to adequately understand and address the challenges faced by the city in terms of law and order. We believe it is time for the Delhi LG to consider resigning, allowing the Shri Arvind Kejriwal-led government to take charge of maintaining law and order, just as we have proven our ability to deliver commendable results in the transformation of education and healthcare sectors,” she affirmed.
