Asthana's appointment as Delhi Police Commissioner 'unconstitutional': State govt

(PTI) New Delhi, Dt

The AAP government in Delhi had termed the appointment of Gujarat cadre officer Rakesh Asthana as Delhi Police Commissioner "unconstitutional" and passed a resolution in the Assembly. The party had accused the central government of appointing Asthana to harass its leaders.

Raising the issue in a brief debate on the first day of the monsoon session of the Delhi Assembly, AAP MLA Sanjay Zai moved a resolution calling the appointment of Rakesh Asthana "unconstitutional" and against the directions of the Supreme Court. The resolution rejected the appointment of a Gujarat cadre officer as Delhi Police Commissioner. The Center on Tuesday appointed Rakesh Asthana as Delhi Police Commissioner and gave him a one-year extension just days before his retirement.

Rakesh Asthana is a 14th batch IPS officer. He was retiring from the post of Director General of BSF on July 31. Zai also questioned Asthana's knowledge of policing in Delhi and the city. Joining the discussion on the resolution presented by Zai, AAP MLAs Gulabsinh, Akhilesh Tripathi, Somnath Bharti and B.S. June alleged that Rakesh Asthana was brought to Delhi to harass the Aam Aadmi Party.