CM condemns ‘raid’ at Kerala Bhavan

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday condemned a “raid” by Delhi Police at Kerala Bhavan here following a complaint that its canteen was serving beef, and wondered if a CM would be arrested from a state guest house if he was suspected of eating something that BJP does not like.

On the other hand, Delhi top cop B S Bassi said that ther were contemplating action against Vishnu Gupta, the caller, under Section 182 of the IPC for lodging false complaint with a public servant. 

A team of Delhi Police had gone to the state guest house on Monday after receiving a complaint that beef was served there. Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Tuesday criticised Delhi Police for carrying out the “searches” at the guest house.

“I strongly condemn Delhi Police raid on Kerala house. I agree with Kerala CM that Kerala house is a govt establishment and not a private hotel. Delhi Police had no business to enter Kerala house. It is an attack on federal structure. Delhi Police is acting like BJP Sena. “Will Delhi Police go and arrest a CM from a state Bhavan in Delhi if they suspect the CM to be eating something that BJP or Modiji don’t like?,” Kejriwal said in a series of tweets. “It is an attack on federal structure. Delhi Police is acting like BJP Sena,” he further added. 

“The Delhi Police under the control of the BJP’s Central government has lost all sense of impartiality and professionalism and is behaving like a right wing frontal organisation of the BJP. It is extremely shocking that the State Bhawans, which are the official seats of representation of state governments in the national Capital are now being targeted by the BJP’s Central government through Delhi Police,” said Ashutosh, AAP spokesperson.

“It is beyond any reasonable understanding that how could the police in the NDMC area enter a state Bhawan on frivolous grounds to make ridiculous queries on the basis of rumours. The Narendra Modi-led BJP’s government is playing a dangerous game by trampling the basic principles of federalism in our democracy, through its rogue police force in the national Capital,” said Ashutosh. 

Meanwhile, Bassi added: “It was not a raid. It in fact was a preventive measure as per our standing operating procedures. We had alerted their private security staff as soon as we got a call to prevent any protest. We also deployed possible security measures there and alerted the staff working there.” 

The MPs wanted beef curry back on the menu at the Kerala House canteen.