New Delhi: Delhi Police have said that no written permission was given to the rally till the end and they had appealed to the organisers to change the venue from Jantar Mantar to a spacious place - Ramlila ground. A senior police official said that negotiations to change the venue were on till the end but organisers were adamant to march and 'gherao' Parliament.
Delhi Police claims that on the basis of intelligence input they advised AAP organisers that the gathering could be around 20,000 and hence suggested a larger venue that is Ramlila Ground since Jantar Mantar proposed capacity is just 5,000.
"There (Jantar Mantar) would not be enough space available for safe movement, channelisation and quick dispersal of the crowds in case of a contingency. "Experience has shown that overcrowding at venues having limited capacity can cause stampedes, leading to loss of life and property," Delhi police wrote in a letter to AAP asking them to shift to a bigger venue like Ramlila Ground.
Meanwhile, police have registered an FIR against unknown persons in connection with the alleged suicide of a Rajasthan-based farmer during a rally of Aam Aadmi Party this afternoon and probe has been handed over to the Crime Branch. The case has been registered under sections 186 (Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 306 (Abetment of suicide), 304 A (Causing death by negligence) of Indian Penal Code. "We have registered an FIR under IPC sections 186/306/304A at Parliament Street Police Station and the case has been handed over to Crime Branch for investigation," Delhi police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat told PTI.
Farmer's suicide: Rajnath Singh asks Delhi Police to complete probe soon
Home Minister Rajnath Singh today directed the Delhi Police to complete the probe soon into the farmer's suicide at an AAP rally here.
Singh, who is likely to give a statement in Parliament on the issue, held a meeting with Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and city Police Commissioner B S Bassi.
They briefed the Minister about yesterday's incident. Singh said that the probe should be completed as soon as possible as it was a "sensitive" matter, officials said.
He also directed that necessary steps be taken to ensure that such an incident does not recur.
The farmer from Rajasthan committed suicide at the rally in full public view in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at Jantar Mantar here.
The incident triggered a blame game among political rivals with demands being made that a case of murder be filed against AAP which had organised a rally against the Centre's land acquisition ordinance.
The Home Minister had yesterday directed Delhi Police to probe the incident.
