AAP government vs Delhi Chief Secretary: Events as they unfolded on January 20, 2018

Delhi Chief Secretary on Tuesday alleged that he was assaulted by ruling AAP MLAs in front of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia.

New Delhi: The Delhi administration plunged into a crisis on Tuesday as the city's top bureaucrat Anshu Prakash alleged that he was assaulted by ruling AAP MLAs in front of Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia at the CM's residence.

Throughout the day, allegations flew thick and fast with both sides - the Aam Aadmi Party government and the Delhi bureaucrats - levelling allegations and counter-allegations of attack on each other, even as the work in the Delhi Secretariat suffered.

Prakash also did not participate in the Cabinet meeting which was attended by another senior IAS Manoj Parida at the CM's residence.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also sought a report from Lt Governor Anil Baijal's over the issue.

The AAP rubbished Prakash's allegations as "bizarre and baseless".

20 February 2018

21:47 IST

All three associations- IAS, DANICS and DASS members have decided not to attend any meeting called by Delhi government till apology is tendered from CM Arvind Kejriwal and action is taken against the MLAs involved.

21:45 IST

Have registered a case where it is said that yesterday late night (Monday) chief secretary was called at CM's residence where some MLAs were also present and chief secretary was assaulted. An investigation has begun. Another complaint has been filed by a Delhi minister where he has said that he was assaulted while he was taking the lift in Delhi secretariat. We have registered case, an investigation initiated, says Deependra Pathak, Delhi Police spokesperson.

21:45 IST

Alleged assault of #Delhi Chief Secy Anshu Prakash: FIR lodged under Sections 186 (obstructing a public servant from performing the duty), 353 (assaulting a public servant), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 342, 504, 506(2) & 120b & 34. pic.twitter.com/NL3kytA0jY

— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2018

19:05 IST

Alleged assault of Delhi Chief Secy Anshu Prakash: IAS Association takes out candle light protest march at Rajghat pic.twitter.com/LSTPpg7wUz

— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2018

19:03 IST

Alleged assault of Delhi Chief Secretary: FIR lodged under sections 186 (obstructing a public servant from performing the duty), 353 (assaulting a public servant), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 342, 504, 506(2) and 120b and 34.

17:44 IST

Alleged assault of Delhi Chief Secy Anshu Prakash: BJP workers protest near Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's residence pic.twitter.com/I68QqrwAXW

— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2018

16:37 IST

Sir, I have sought a meeting with you to apprise you of the unfortunate incidents at Delhi Secretariat this afternoon. Minorities Minister & I were assaulted. The entire incident has been captured on camera. Hope you will do justice. https://t.co/2n6MoQ4eNO

— Ashish Khetan (@AashishKhetan) February 20, 2018

I just received a call from Hon'ble HM @rajnathsingh ji's office. I have been told that HM is very busy and he wont be able to meet me.

— Ashish Khetan (@AashishKhetan) February 20, 2018

16:31 IST

The Press release from Delhi Govt Officers Association is a clear indictment reg. role of CM @ArvindKejriwal. It says that incident clearly appears to be pre planned, pre meditated & to pressurize the Chief Secretary to release Ads of Kejriwal Govt in violation of SC guidelines. pic.twitter.com/1uTdhEr5u3

— Satish Upadhyay (@upadhyaysbjp) February 20, 2018

16:30 IST

It was a riot like situation, a crowd had gathered who became violent and even raised slogans, we don't know who they were. Everything is on CCTV, will be clear from it. Police were mute spectators, says Ashish Khetan, AAP leader on the alleged assault of Delhi Chief Secreaty Anshu Prakash.

16:29 IST

We have lodged a complaint with SC/ST Commission against the casteist comments made by the Delhi Chief Secretary, says Prakash Jarwal, AAP MLA.

16:29 IST

We had asked him about an area where people were not getting basic facilities like medicine, the Chief Secretary suddenly shouted 'maine Daliton ki thekedaari nahi le rakhi hai', his temper was high. He said 'you are not fit to be MLA, I will only reply to LG', says Prakash Jarwal, AAP MLA.

16:25 IST

I am deeply pained by the happenings involving the Chief Secretary of the Delhi Government. The civil servants should be allowed to work with dignity and without fear. The MHA has sought a report on the incident from the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. Justice will be done. A delegation of IAS DANICS and Subordinate Services of Delhi Government met me today (Tuesday) and apprised me of the prevailing situation, says Rajnath Singh.

16:23 IST

Till action is not taken we are not going to resume work. Home Minister (Rajnath Singh) has said he has asked for a report, says DN Singh, Delhi Administrative Subordinate Services President.

15:16 IST

BJP condemns this incident. A constitutional crisis looms over Delhi. First time we saw a Chief Secy being assaulted on the directions of a CM. AAP & anarchy have become synonymous. It has no relations with Constitution: BJP leader Sambit Patra on Delhi Chief Secy assault

15:09 IST

Meeting between Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash and Home Minister Rajnath Singh is currently underway in Delhi.

14:56 IST

In public interest officers and staff will continue to work in their offices. However, no officer will attend meeting beyond office hours, outside office premises, till such time effective action is taken against all people behind this incident: IAS Association Delhi

14:54 IST

The Associations strongly feel that above incident amounts to functional crisis and breakdown of governance and earnestly implore the Hon’ble Lt. Governor and the Govt. of India to take expeditious action against the perpetrators of the unfortunate incident: IAS Association Delhi

14:54 IST

The appalling and shocking physical assault meted out to the Head of the Administration of Delhi, in the form of blows on the head, amounting to threat to life and physical safety, is deplorable: IAS Association Delhi

14:52 IST

Delhi IAS Association issued a statement:

"IAS, Delhi, Andaman&Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS) & Delhi Admn Subordinate Services Assoc (DASS), representing officers of Govt of NCT Delhi, condemn&protest physical assault by MLAs on Chief Secy in CM’s residence in presence and with consent of CM & Dy CM." 

14:46 IST

Several cops arrive at the Delhi Secretariat to control the situation

14:41 IST

AAP has claimed that there was no physical assault to Anshu Prakash:

There was no physical assault to Anshu Prakash Ji.

— Saurabh Bharadwaj (@Saurabh_MLAgk) February 20, 2018

14:38 IST

AAP has alleged that Ashish Khetan & Imran Hussain were allegedly assaulted.

14:37 IST

Now, AAP leader Ashish Khetan has alleged that he was manhandled at Delhi Secretariat

14:36 IST

AAP's response to false allegations by Chief Secretary

pic.twitter.com/dl3M2MrXW6

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 20, 2018

14:32 IST

Refuting the allegations, Kejriwal and the AAP leaders claimed that there was a heated exchange and that the bureaucrat used “bad language” and "casteist remarks". 

AAP MLA @AjayDutt48 has written to @CPDelhi to lodge FIR against the Chief Secretary. Delhi chief secretary used "casteist remarks" against him in a meeting at CM @ArvindKejriwal residence. pic.twitter.com/vchb5wdkWt

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 20, 2018

14:31 IST

The Delhi Administrative Subordinate Services went on a strike on Tuesday morning demanding the arrest of those who allegedly manhandled Prakash. 

14:29 IST

Anshu Prakash called a meeting of all bureaucrats at the Delhi Secretariat on Tuesday morning. Reports said that he also made a complaint about the incident to Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal.

In the meeting, it was decided an FIR would be registered in the matter 

14:27 IST

Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash alleged that he was manhandled by two MLAs of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) at Kejriwal's home on Monday. He further claimed that he was attacked in the Delhi CM's presence.