Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal may be abducted to demand the release of Indian Mujahideen (IM) co-founder Yasin Bhatkal, sources said on Sunday. The sensational claim has led the Delhi Police to issue orders to upgrade the security of Kejriwal to Z category.
Sources went on to say that Delhi Police special cell officials briefed Kejriwal on the possible threat to him. Intelligence Bureau has also confirmed the threat.
Delhi Police has asked Kejriwal to inform about all his movements in advance. Sources said that police might provide him security even if he refuses.
Yasin Bhatkal and his close aide Asadullah Akhtar were arrested by Delhi Police in connection with a September 13, 2008 serial blasts case in Delhi.
Recently Bhatkal had moved a special NIA court claiming there was a threat to their lives inside the high-security Tihar Jail where they are currently lodged.
Kejriwal in his poll manifesto had refused to take security or any escort or Personal Security Officer (PSO).
The Delhi High Court too refused to interfere with the provision of security for the Delhi Chief Minister after the Union government informed it that he has already been provided with security cover.
The court order came in the wake of a PIL filed by a lawyer urging the court to direct Kejriwal to take police security for himself and his ministers.
During the hearing, a division bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said, “He is the Chief Minister, he knows the consequences. He knows the security threat. He is the man to protect all of us. We don’t know the reason why he doesn’t want security. How can we pass any direction then,” the court asked.
