AAP MLA assault case: Gulab Singh safe from arrest till October 14

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Friday granted AAP MLA Gulab Singh protection from arrest till October 14 in a case against him for assaulting and obstructing a public servant from discharging his duties during a demolition drive in his constituency in July.

The court's order came while allowing the MLA 's anticipatory bail plea. A bench of Justice Ashutosh Kumar also issued notice to Delhi Police seeking their status report after verifying the details of the allegations levelled against the parliamentarian. “I am giving him protection from arrest till October 14, as he is a public representative. However, at the same time, he will have to maintain peace and join investigation whenever asked by police,“ the judge said.

During the hearing, senior advocate H S Phoolka, who appeared for Singh, submitted the FIR lodged against his client was politically motivated. Phoolka also told the court that all the co-accused in the matter have already been granted bail and the alleged offences entails a maximum punishment of less than three years.

Countering Phoolka, advocate Anupam S Sharma, who has been appointed as special public prosecutor, said a junior engineer was humiliated and assaulted following instigation by the MLA, therefore his custody for interrogation is required. HC then ordered that the complainant should also be impleaded in the matter.]