Delhi Police suspends sub-inspector for kicking people during Friday prayers. Video went viral on social media. Action demanded by locals

In a big setback for the Congress just weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal has refused to accept the party’s petition to stop the department’s action against its bank accounts. 

After the petition against the IT action was turned down on Friday, the Congress’ counsel, Vivek Tankha, appealed that the order be kept in abeyance for ten days. Sources said the party will now file an appeal in the Delhi High Court. 

On February 16, the Congress had said the Income Tax Department had frozen Rs 115 crore in its bank accounts following a tax demand of Rs 210 crore as dues and penalty for the financial year, 2018-19, which was also an election year.

Days later, Congress leader Ajay Maken had claimed that Rs 65 crore had been withdrawn by the department from three of the party’s accounts even though a petition against the claim was being heard by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal. 

Repeating its charge that central agencies were being misused by the BJP, the Congress had called the tax demand “politically motivated” and said that it was timed to disrupt the party’s election preparations. The Congress had also accused the BJP government of “financial terrorism” and attempting to “cripple” its primary opposition before the elections. 

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had also expressed concern over the Income Tax department’s actions and called it a “deep blow to democracy”.

“The unconstitutional money that BJP has collected will be used in the elections, but the money we have collected through crowdfunding will be sealed. That is why we have said that there will be no elections in the future! We appeal to the judiciary to save the multi-party system in this country and secure India’s democracy. We will take to the streets and fight strongly against this injustice and dictatorship,” he had said. 

A Delhi Police officer has been suspended, and faces disciplinary action, after he was seen kicking and assaulting a small group of men offering namaz, or Friday prayers, by the side of a busy road.

In a shocking 34-second video the officer – in-charge of a police post in Delhi’s Inderlok area – is seen trying to disperse a few men praying near a mosque in the neighbourhood. In what seems like a sudden burst of rage, he kicks two men from behind; he even seems to strike the second on his neck.

In a second, and longer, video, the same cop is seen violently shoving the men who were praying.

“In the incident which happened today, the police post in-charge – who was seen in the video – has been suspended with immediate effect. Necessary disciplinary action is also being taken,” MK Meena, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Delhi North), was quoted by news agency PTI.

A departmental inquiry has also been initiated, police sources told NDTV.

In the videos the suspended policeman also gets into a fight with bystanders, and is assaulted himself.

Angry protesters later blocked the road to demand action against the cop.

Reports indicate the men were praying outside because the mosque was filled to capacity.

Security has been stepped up in the area to maintain law and order.

The Congress’ Delhi unit has slammed Delhi Police over the “shameful” incident. “Very shameful! Delhi Police jawan kicking people offering namaz on the road. What could be more shameful…?”