AAP workers obstructed police from helping the farmer, says police report.
By Dileep Thekkethil
BENGALURU: According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Delhi police on the suicide of a farmer during the Aam Aadmi Party’s Kisan rally at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, the party workers were reportedly clapping and cheering when Gajender Singh was trying to hang himself from a tree, on Wednesday.
The police have also mentioned in the FIR that the AAP workers created a blockade when the police tried to bring Singh down when he climbed up the tree, and later bring his body down from the tree. This was followed by the workers themselves trying to do it, which led to the farmer falling from the tree top. When the body was finally taken by the police to a hospital, doctors declared him dead.
Furthermore, the police allege that they were not allowed to take the farmer to the hospital timely as the AAP workers created an obstruction arguing that the farmer being an AAP worker, the party would take him to the hospital in a vehicle that they would arrange for.
A detailed report of the incident has been sent to the home minister Rajnath Singh. Meanwhile, a Crime Branch Investigation has been ordered and officers have been sent to the village of the deceased farmer in Rajasthan.
The Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi told media that “We have submitted a report to the Home Ministry about yesterday’s unfortunate incident.†His response came after a long, closed room discussion with Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on Thursday morning.
He added, “We have filed an FIR in this connection under section 306 (Abetment of suicide), 186 (Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions) and 34 (common intention) of IPC and whatever will be necessary will be done to investigate the case.â€
Girdhari Singh, a relative of Gajender Singh, was quoted by Zee News saying “He was not distressed. He had gone to Delhi to represent us over the crop damage that we had suffered due to unseasonal rains.â€
He also asked “Was it a jungle where Gajendra committed suicide? Wasn’t there anyone who could have saved him?â€
Soon after the incident came to his notice, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on twitter, “I seek suggestions with an open mind. Let us not let our farmers die. We have to find a solution to farmers’ problems. We will not betray interests of farmers. Clearly, all of us are together in thisâ€
Here is what Inspector SS Yadav, who was on duty at Jantar Manther on Wednesday when the incidents unfolded describes in the FIR.
(A Translation)
It was around 12:50 pm when I was standing near the Kutty’s Shop Cut and looking on as the AAP leadership was holding forth on the land acquisition issue. Suddenly, I noticed that several persons in the crowd were looking away from the stage. I followed their gaze and saw that a farmer, namely Gajender Singh, was perched on a branch of a tree waving a broom in his hand. I immediately radioed the police control room on my Wireless Set and I also urged the AAP workers to refrain from egging the farmer on and instead helping him down to safety. But neither the workers nor the leaders on stage assisted me in this. My message to the control room alerted other police officers, Station house offices of Tilak Marg and Bara Khamba Road Police Stations, and other staff who reached the spot.
Police requested the AAP workers to make way for emergency vehicle to drive through, but the workers retorted that Police were against the AAP and they were keeping the AAP from staging their protest. Meanwhile, the farmer had tied his gamchha around his neck and the other end to the branch. Police had by then called for the Fire services to arrange for a ladder. Also, seeing the farmer tying the gamchha, the workers alerted the AAP leadership seated at the stage about the incident and the other workers and leaders applauded in response. Egged on by the crowd, Gajender hanged himself, suspended by gamchha and parts of his body stuck at odd positions in the branches of the tree. A few people present there began climbing the tree who were told that the fire brigade was about to come.
They could have done this more safely. But these went ahead nevertheless and untangled Gajender’s body from the branches of the tree leaving it to fall freely to the ground. Police immediately attempted to rush the farmer to RML hospital in a pcr van. But the AAP workers vehemently objected and did not allow police to carry out their duties. Instead the workers insisted that Gajender was a fellow AAP worker and they would take his body to hospital in a vehicle arranged by the party itself. However, after a lot of struggle and argument, we managed to get Gajender’s body placed in a pcr van and driven to RML where doctors declared him brought dead.â€
3 Comments
so were
I have seen the video. It was a thick tree hard to climb. They were clapping and shouting to get his attention as they were trying to persuade him to get down. NDTV showed the complete story. These policemen should be booked for intentionally defaming AAP.
Aaptard spotted.