Ministry of External Affairs slams midnight 'raid' by Somnath Bharti involving Ugandan nationals.
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday slammed the midnight 'raid' by Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti involving some Ugandan nationals in the capital.
The ministry called all African envoys here for a meeting to assure them about Government's intention to take appropriate action regarding the 'condemnable' incident.
They were also informed that a single point office was being established at Delhi Police Commissioner's office, specifically to address complaints from foreign nationals.
Dinkar Khullar, Secy (West) in MEA met the African envoys in South Block Saturday evening, official sources said adding that he conveyed Indian government's view that the incident was utterly 'condemnable and cannot be condoned'.
The meeting came three days after four Ugandan women lodged separate complaints with the police against unnamed AAP volunteers, alleging they were abused, groped and beaten while being held captive and were forced to undergo a medical examination at AIIMS for suspected drug use.
Law Minister Somnath Bharti is at the centre of a raging row as he tried to raid an alleged drug and prostitution ring but the police refused to do his bidding citing lack of warrant. He had a verbal argument with a police official after the latter refused to conduct a raid at a building.
Bharti's surprise raid attempt had ended in a roadside argument between him and the Delhi Police, who said he tried to force them to conduct a search on a building at night without a warrant, and question women, maintaining sex workers were hiding in the building.
The minister claimed he had received complaints that Nigerian nationals were involved in sex trade and drugs and he had decided to 'catch them red-handed', along with the police.
The Secretary also assured the African envoys that there was no deliberate targeting of the nationals of any country and should remain an aberration.
Khullar also informed the meeting of African envoys that the law and order authorities are deploying extra patrols so that life and property of all residents of Delhi, including foreign nationals, will be safeguarded.
Next: Santosh Hegde flays Delhi Law Minister's conduct
Santosh Hegde flays Delhi Law Minister's conduct
Bangalore: Former Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde on Saturday said the beginning of the Kejriwal Government in Delhi had not been good, as he flayed Law Minister Somnath Bharti's vigilante style raid and his calling a meeting of judges.
"Two things the Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti has done are certainly wrong - creating a scene... and convening a meeting of all judges of courts," Hegde, a former Team Anna member, told PTI here.
"I saw the interaction between the law minister and the police at the crime spot. It is not something that a minister should do, however enthusiastic he may be," Hegde said.
Hegde said the minister cannot rebuke any police officer in public, but should take administrative action against them if the directives are not carried out.
On Bharti's attempt to convene a meeting of the judges and scolding the Law Secretary, Hegde said the government does not have any power over judiciary.
"The power of administration of judicial system lies with the High Court. The power of the state government is only with regard to providing infrastructure," he said.
"If there is any shortcoming in the administration of judiciary, the Chief Minister should sit with the Chief Justice and talk to him. He cannot call a meeting with the judges, advise them what to do and what not to do," he said.
Hegde said the beginning of Kejriwal government has not been good, but it has the all the chance of improving.
"They should realise one thing that they are first-timers (in politics). They should be careful in not showing themselves as a novice. The best thing for them would be to takle some advice from the executive," he added.
