AAP MLA Rajinderpal Kaur Chhina argues with woman IPS officer in Ludhiana

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 13

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from the South constituency, Rajinderpal Kaur Chhina, publicly argued with a woman IPS officer, ACP, Industrial Area B, Jyoti Yadav.

The MLA, while trying to show her supremacy over the police, openly questioned the officer that why she didn’t inform her before conducting a search operation in her constituency.

ACP Jyoti, along with a large number of police personnel, had gone to conduct a search in Shimlapuri and its adjoining areas. When the MLA came to know about the search operation, she immediately reached the spot and questioned the ACP.

“How can you conduct a search operation in my constituency without informing me or taking me along? You should have informed me in advance,” the MLA questioned ACP Jyoti.

The ACP said she was not asked by seniors to take the MLA along for search. “I am asking you again, who is the MLA of this area,” said Chhina.

The ACP said: “I have been directed by the Police Commissioner (CP) and the Joint Police Commissioner (Rural) to conduct a search in the area to nab drug smugglers and anti-social elements. I have not been told to take the MLA along”.

The MLA continued to argue with the IPS officer. She told the officer that the CP had conveyed to the police that MLAs of the respective areas should be taken along during search operations.

Later, the MLA, along with ACP, went to the area to conduct search.

ACP Jyoti refused to comment on the issue. Police Commissioner Dr Kaustubh Sharma said it was a symbolic search operation being conducted by ACP Jyoti Yadav, along with the police force, to nab anti-social elements and drug smugglers. MLA Chhina came there and had minor arguments with the officer over search operation. If MLAs had any issue and they wanted to take police along for checking or any search in their areas, the police would always take them along.

MLA Chhina said there was some misunderstanding. It had been sorted out now. The police and MLAs would work together to wipe out the drug menace. Ishwarjot Singh Cheema, Halqa in-charge, Congress, South Constituency, said: “The way AAP MLA is bashing the IPS officer has reflected the poor mentality of the AAP government and its leaders. Where is it written that the police should take MLAs along while conducting raids for drugs? The MLA should offer public apology”.

IPS lobby fumed over AAP MLA’s rude behaviour

The IPS lobby had condemned the rude behaviour of AAP MLA Chhina. IPS officers, while questioning the MLA, said how come she (MLA) scolded a police officer? Under what authority she tried to show supremacy over the police officer? Did the IPS officer commit any violation or went against police norms? “The ACP was doing her duty. Who is the MLA to create scene publicly and insult the officer,” alleged an IPS officer.

Earlier also several search operations were conducted and the police never took MLAs along. If the police start taking MLAs along, then they may intervene in police duty and resort to pick-and-choose method while conducting search in houses or other places. “The CP had only directed the Joint Police Commissioner and the ACP to conduct search operations in their areas. He did not ask officers to take MLAs along,” a police official told The Tribune.

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