Asthana as Delhi Top Cop: Delhi Assembly passes resolution against Centre's move

New Delhi: The Delhi Legislative Assembly passed a resolution against the Centre's decision to appoint Rakesh Asthana as Delhi Police Commissioner on Thursday.

Under rule-55 of the Delhi assembly, AAP legislators have raised this issue on the first day of its monsoon session and questioned his appointment.

Sanjeev Jha, AAP MLA, who was the first to speak, said the appointment of Rakesh Asthana as the new Delhi Police Commissioner was the "violation of a Supreme Court judgment".

"In 2019, the SC ruled that no officer with less than six months of tenure left should be named for a top job. In fact, Asthana was the front-runner for being the CBI Chief in May 2019, but was dropped after the top court pointed the same in its ruling," said Sanjeev Jha, who is MLA (AAP) from Burari.

Two other AAP legislators who spoke on this issue in the Assembly were Akhilesh Pati Tripathi, Somnath Bharti and Satyendar Jain.

However, leader of the opposition and senior BJP leader Ramveer Singh Bidhuri defended the allegations by pointing out the President Award that Asthana was conferred for his service, apart from his several other achievements during his long service tenure.

"This House must welcome Rakesh Asthana as Delhi police commissioner. His service period and works have set an example in this country. He will work for the betterment of Delhi. Those who are honest should not worry about Asthana's appointment because he takes tough action against those who are corrupt," Bidhuri said.