Cops, not court staff, serve summons on Kejri, aides

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 27

The summons served upon Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and his aides skipping proper procedure has created an uproar in the legal fraternity.

Besides Kejriwal, AAP leaders Ashish Khetan and Sanjay Singh were directed by a local court to face trial on July 29. Even as the court issued a notice on July 18 in this regard, it was served dasti (by hand) on the trio.

Bypassing the Nazirkhana of the court, the summons’ were procured directly and policemen were especially entrusted with the task.

Traffic ACP Hardyal Singh and Civil Lines SHO Sukhwinder Singh Randhawa flew to New Delhi to hand over the summons.

Questions are being on why the officers were deputed to do the job of the court. Similarly, eyebrows are being raised over the urgency shown in the matter by the government. There are also queries as to who paid for the air travel.

Police Commissioner Amar Singh Chahal said,“The police personnel were deputed as per court orders. The notices were received by the SHO. It was court’s prerogative to ask for police assistance and we were bound to abide by it. The air fare would be reimbursed as TA/DA”, he said.

On the other hand, the officials of Nazir branch, preferring anonymity, said it was violation of the norms. “It is mandatory to get the summons registered with us. Thereafter, the incharge deputes a process server to serve the summons. Here, neither any entry was made nor proper procedure was followed,” they said. Senior lawyer Sandeep Gorsi too termed it violation of the law.

AAP’s media zonal incharge Gurbhej Singh Sandhu said, “All three will appear in court.”