Home » Nation and Beyond » AAP alleges police detained MLA Kuldeep Kumar in sanitation protest
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that MLA Kuldeep Kumar was taken from his residence early on August 18 during a protest concerning the alleged murder of a Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) sanitation worker in Kalyanpuri.
Bharadwaj stated on X that around 20 individuals in plain clothes arrived at approximately 4 am and transported Kuldeep Kumar to an undisclosed location. He added that the MLA had been advocating for sanitation workers, including demanding compensation for the deceased worker’s family.
The party claimed that protesters sought a meeting with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, but instead of engaging with them, the MLA was detained. Bharadwaj also reported that Delhi AAP Vice President and MLA Sanjeev Jha was proceeding to the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), East, to determine Kuldeep Kumar’s whereabouts.
AAP further alleged that police forcibly conducted the last rites of the sanitation worker. Workers had been protesting for two days following the incident, demanding Rs 1 crore in compensation for the victim’s family.
The party said police took the deceased’s body from the hospital to the family home and threatened to carry out the cremation immediately. In a Facebook post, Kuldeep Kumar’s team called for supporters to continue protesting until “Anil gets justice” and urged people to go to Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital.
The team also claimed between 30 and 40 people arrived at the MLA’s residence at about 4 am, removed the digital video recorder from an external CCTV camera, and took Kumar away. It is unclear whether those involved were Delhi Police officers, and Kuldeep Kumar’s current location is unknown.
The allegations follow the alleged killing on August 16 of Anil Kumar, a 27-year-old MCD sanitation worker in Kalyanpuri. Anil, while performing sanitation duties, was reportedly attacked with a knife. The assailant fled the scene.
Police responded after receiving information and launched an investigation. CCTV footage captured the alleged stabbing, and authorities are reviewing this and other evidence to identify the accused.
The incident has caused concern locally, with political figures and the victim’s family calling for urgent action. AAP leaders and sanitation workers continue to demand compensation for the victim’s family.
This story is written by TNM Bureau with inputs from ANI. The News Mill is a Guwahati-based digital media with focus on content from across Northeast India and beyond. We can be reached through [email protected]