Farmer's suicide at AAP rally: Delhi Police registers FIR

Delhi 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.

New Delhi: Delhi Police has 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.

Meanwhile, 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.

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.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had earlier spoken to Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi and ordered an inquiry.

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.

41-year-old Gajendra Singh today hanged himself from a tree near the rally venue.

As police watched the whole drama, a couple of AAP workers climbed the tree and tried to rescue him, but by then the noose had stifled Singh, whose body hanged for a few moments before falling. He was rushed to the nearby RML hospital where he was declared brought dead.

The farmer, who was heard shouting slogans against the land bill, had left a suicide note in which he had claimed he was disowned by his father after the family suffered huge crop loss due to unseasonal rains.