MLA Gulab Singh not to be arrested: Cops to HC in assault case

NEW DELHI: The city police today told the Delhi High Court that it won't be arresting AAP MLA Gulab Singh, who has been accused of assaulting and obstructing a public servant from discharging his duty during a demolition drive here.

The statement was made before Justice Ashutosh Kumar by Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Anupam Sharma on the instructions of the investigating officer in the matter.

In view of the statement made by the SPP, senior advocate H S Phoolka, appearing for Singh, withdrew the anticipatory bail plea moved on the MLA's behalf.

The court while dismissing as withdrawn the anticipatory bail plea of the MLA, also noted the submission made by Phoolka that Singh had joined the investigation as and when it was required.

The court had on August 14 protected Singh from arrest till today.

Phoolka had earlier told the court that the FIR lodged against Singh was politically motivated.

He had also said that all the co-accused of Singh in the case had already been granted bail by the trial court and the alleged offences entail a maximum punishment of less than three years.

Countering the contention, the SPP had said that a junior engineer was humiliated and assaulted at the instigation of AAP MLA, so his custody for interrogation was required.

Singh, an MLA from Matiala constituency, had approached the high court after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by a sessions court here.

An FIR was lodged against Singh at Chhawla police station under section 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of his public functions), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 353 (assault to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty) and 506 (criminal intimidation) with 34 (common intention) of IPC.

According to the FIR, lodged on July 21, Singh had allegedly assaulted a junior engineer during a demolition drive carried out in his constitutency.