Delhi Assembly passes resolution against Rakesh Asthana’s appointment as police commissioner

Asthana, an IPS officer of the Gujarat cadre, was appointed as the new Delhi Police Commission on July 27, just days before his retirement on July 31. Earlier, he was special director in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

 The Delhi Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution against Rakesh Asthana's appointment as Delhi Police Commissioner. The resolution was moved by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Sanjeev Jha. The resolution has sought a reversal of the appointment from the Union Home Ministry, which controls the Delhi Police.
Asthana, an IPS officer of the Gujarat cadre, was appointed as the new Delhi Police Commission on July 27, just days before his retirement on July 31. Earlier, he was special director in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

According to media reports, the resolution read: "It is beyond any reasonable understanding as to why a controversial officer who was removed by this Central Government from the post of Special Director CBI in October 2018 and was not considered fit for the post of CBI director only very recently, is being imposed on Delhi Police. Given the past track record of this officer, there is reasonable apprehension that the Central Government will use him for foisting false cases on political rivals to create a reign of terror in the national capital. Such a controversial individual should not be heading the police force in the country’s national capital."

Slamming the Centre's decision, senior AAP leader Satyender Jain said, "The BJP wants to say that all the commissioners appointed by the Modi government so far were useless, and for the first time in 7 years, they have brought a good officer," adding, "Supreme Court gave the ruling -- six months should be left in the appointment of DG level, Rakesh Asthana had 4 days' tenure left."  Meanwhile, Congress has also slammed the appointment and said it is a 'direct contravention of the Supreme Court judgement.