AAP, BJP leaders file complaints amid bus marshal controversy

In a dramatic escalation of tension between the AAP and BJP, Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has filed a police complaint against BJP MLA and Leader of the Opposition Vijender Gupta, who has also lodged a complaint against the AAP leader.

This legal confrontation arises from an incident outside the Lieutenant-Governor’s residence on Saturday where Gupta is accused of kicking a female bus marshal.

The altercation unfolded as a group of former bus marshals, accompanied by ministers and MLAs from both parties, sought a meeting with the L-G, which was ultimately denied.

According to Bharadwaj, a female bus marshal reportedly told him that Gupta had kicked her, a claim corroborated by multiple witnesses. Bharadwaj and the victim approached Station House Officer Satvinder Rana at the scene to file their complaint. The minister also captured the incident on video, which has been submitted to the police.

Bharadwaj expressed concern regarding the bus marshals’ wellbeing, stating, “Yesterday, I tweeted a video of two female bus marshals.

One, named Pankaj, reported that Gupta kicked her. The other, Zubaida, mentioned being hit by a police officer. We fear for their safety, which is why we filed a formal complaint.”

He asserted, “The fact that Gupta is misusing police administration to file fake FIRs against AAP ministers and innocent bus marshals shows his desperation. He was reluctant to meet the L-G and is now trying to implicate AAP MLAs and bus marshals in false cases. This misuse of police machinery indicates a collusion between the L-G office and the BJP.”

Simultaneously, Gupta has lodged his own complaint, resulting in the registration of an FIR at the Civil Lines police station. Gupta alleged that AAP leaders assaulted him while he was advocating for the reinstatement of bus marshals. He said, “When I left the meeting with Chief Minister Atishi, AAP minister Bharadwaj and others misbehaved and assaulted me in the presence of the CM. I will not remain silent on the issue of marshals and will continue to press the AAP government until over 10,000 bus marshals are reinstated.”

Additionally, Deputy Speaker Rakhi Birla has filed a complaint against Gupta for alleged harassment related to her Dalit caste. Another civil defence volunteer has also accused Gupta of kicking her during an inquiry about a Cabinet note outside the L-G residence.