New Delhi [India], December 14: Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting a meeting to discuss growing concerns over the law and order situation in Delhi.
In his letter, Kejriwal raised alarm over the rising crime rates in the city, despite law and order being under the central government’s jurisdiction. He expressed concerns about Delhi increasingly being labeled as the “crime capital” both in India and internationally.
Kejriwal highlighted troubling statistics, including Delhi’s ranking as the top city in India for crimes against women and murder cases among 19 major metro cities. He also pointed to the surge in extortion gangs, bomb threats targeting airports and schools, and a significant 350 percent increase in drug-related crimes, all contributing to growing insecurity among residents.
In the letter, Kejriwal stated, “Delhi’s law and order is under the Central Government, but Delhi is now being known as the capital of crime. Delhi ranks number one in crimes against women and murder cases, and extortion gangs are active throughout the city.”
He also noted that bomb threats to airports and schools, alongside the rise in drug-related crimes, were worsening public safety concerns.
Earlier this week, Kejriwal criticized Amit Shah for mishandling the law and order situation in Delhi, calling it a “jungle raj.” He said, “Amit Shah ji has ruined Delhi. He has turned Delhi into a jungle raj. People are living in terror everywhere. BJP is no longer able to handle the law and order situation in Delhi. The people of Delhi must unite and raise their voices.”
Kejriwal also stated that criminals in Delhi no longer fear the law, citing incidents of open gunfire. “Delhi’s criminals no longer have any fear of law and order,” he said in a post on social media.
In response to rising concerns, AAP MPs have repeatedly moved notices for suspension of business in Parliament, seeking discussions on the deteriorating law and order situation, the increasing crime rates, and the growing threats to public representatives.
Earlier this week, after bomb threats were made to several schools in Delhi, Kejriwal demanded an explanation from Amit Shah about the measures being taken to ensure public safety. He also questioned whether any arrests had been made in connection with the threats.
In November, the Delhi High Court directed the Delhi Government and Police to create a detailed action plan and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to deal with bomb threats and related emergencies. The court set an eight-week deadline for completion of these measures.