EC Bars Delhi Cop From Election Duty For Linking Shaheen Bagh Shooter To AAP

The Election Commission (EC) on wednesday slammed Delhi Police DCP Rajesh Deo for sharing investigation details linking the Shaheen Bagh shooter Kapil Baisala to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, saying his statement was "totally uncalled for" and barred him from election duty. The EC said that the investigation into the Shaheen Bagh shooting had "political connotations" and Delhi cop's conduct has "consequences" for "free and fair elections".

On Tuesday, Deo told reporters that Kapil Baisala, who had opened fire at the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest site in Shaheen Bagh on Saturday, was a member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). This prompted the AAP to approach the poll body against the police officer.

"The Commission has considered the matter in detail and is of the considered view that the above-referred statements referring to a political party at this stage even as the investigation is still going on has the effect of adversely impacting the elections.

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"This action was totally uncalled for. The conduct on the part of Rajesh Deo has consequences on the holding of free and fair elections," the poll panel said in a letter to the Delhi Police commissioner. The commission has asked the Delhi Police to file a compliance report by 6 pm on Thursday.

On Saturday, Baisala had fired two rounds in the air at Shaheen Bagh, where anti-CAA protests are being held for over a month now. After being overpowered by police personnel, Kapil had chanted "Jai Shri Ram" and said, "hamare desh me aur kisi ki nahi chalegi, sirf Hinduon ki chalegi (only Hindus shall have a say in our country, no one else)," as he was taken into custody by the Delhi Police.