Another AAP MLA Sharad Chauhan arrested by Delhi police

The Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi suffered yet another jolt after a special investigation team (SIT) arrested its legislator Sharad Chauhan for his alleged role in abetting suicide of a female worker of his party. Seven other individuals, including those believed to be close to Chauhan and his party, as well as a local policeman, were arrested in connection with the same case late on Saturday night.

Ravindra Yadav, joint commissioner of Delhi Police, in a media briefing following the arrest, said Chauhan allegedly orchestrated the pressure tactics used against the victim who had filed a case against Ramesh Bhardwaj accusing him of harassment. Bhardwaj, who was arrested on July 26, is believed to be a close associate of Chauhan to an extent that during the 2015 Delhi assembly election he campaigned and provided funds for AAP, police said. Among the arrested men is Chauhan's assistant Rajnikanth, who is accused of being a part of the entire conspiracy.

The woman had consumed some poisonous substance at her home in North-West Delhi's Narela and died during treatment at LNJP Hospital on July 19. She had filed a complaint against Bhardwaj for allegedly touching her inappropriately, and a case of molestation was registered in June. The woman in a video recording had also levelled serious allegations against Bhardwaj, accusing him of pressuring her to "compromise" if she wanted to rise in the party. The accused was arrested and later released on bail. Family of the victim said that she committed suicide soon after Bhardwaj was released on bail because she was depressed about the fact that the accused was roaming free. The investigating officer of the case, Mukhtiyar Singh, was also arrested by the SIT, which now believes that the cop had tried to weaken to case in return for bribes.

According to police, the origin of the suicide incident dates back to December 2015 when during an AAP programme in Bakhtawarpur, the accused, Ramesh Bharadwaj, took the woman – who was also a party worker – in his car for the event.

"On the way, Bharadwaj told the woman that if she wants to get promoted within the party then she had to establish physical relationship with him," police said.
However, the woman refused to accept the proposal. The accused told the woman that he is right hand of the MLA. "The woman told the whole thing to three to four party workers where it was decided that they will talk with some senior party leaders about the whole incident. The woman tried to meet senior leaders of the party but she was unable to meet them as in some places people told her that you have to follow protocol to meet CM. Some leaders even told her to settle the matter within," police officials said. However, the woman, who owned a beauty parlour in outer Delhi, was then subjected to pressure tactics and even threatened with death, police further said.

"Somewhere in the course of these events, the woman was called to legislator's office as well and Bhardwaj was told to apologise. But the victim refused stating that she would not accept an apology in a closed room as her character had been assassinated in the public. She wanted a public apology," said Ravindra Yadav in a media briefing. When asked if the deceased woman had directly named Chauhan, the officer said, "She didn't take his name directly but there were enough indications that the MLA was involved for instance in the video also she mentions LMA repeatedly of orchestrating the attack on her. There are other instances where she indicated that the accused MLA was directing his associates to pressurise her so she yields," Yadav said adding that two other arrested men named Sanjay and Mohan were given the duty to harass the victim. The duo own business in outer Delhi and are believed to be Bhardwaj's associates.

Police further claimed that the woman was cheated as Bhardwaj sent two of his men, Ramesh and Mohan, with her to the police station. Undue advantage of the deceased illiteracy was taken by Ramesh who was Bhardwaj's man. He told the woman that he will write the complaint on her behalf of her. in the complaint they did not mention most of the things which the woman had to say.

"Mohan Verma, who has since been arrested, claimed himself to be with the lady but he was working for Bharadwaj," police said. Later when the woman gave her statement in front of magistrate more sections were added in the case. To defame her in the society the accused persons also came up with a cd allegedly having conversation between the accused and Mohan in which he is telling the woman that he will settle the dispute for Rs 15 lakh. Based on cd the accused also filed police complaint and claimed that the woman wanted to extort money that's why she filed case against them. The recording of CD was circulated in different whats app group and when the woman came to know about this she underwent depression, police said.

The MLA is also accused of hiring known criminal Virender Kaala to use his highprofile contacts so that the accused Bharadwaj gets bail easily without going to jail. Kaala met the investigation officer of the case Mukhtiyar Singh who help the accused to get the bail easily.

Chauhan becomes the 12th MLA to be arrested by Delhi police so far.