Murder of NDMC officer: Letter issued without knowledge of the tragic death

Hours later, the Delhi Police held a press conference to reiterate Khan’s murder probe was not being influenced. “There are reports that Delhi Police is being influenced to save few persons who are involved in the murder of M M Khan. This is totally false as the investigation of the case has been done in a fair and professional manner. All evidence collected has been thoroughly examined,” read a statement.

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This was the Delhi Police’s second press conference on the politicisation of Khan’s murder.

Union Minister of State Kiren Rijiju said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should allow the “impartial” probe into Khan’s murder to be completed, and not “lower the dignity” of the office he holds by giving a “political colour” to the case.

“The Delhi Police should be allowed to do an impartial probe. Let them complete the investigation. No political colour should be given to the case,” said Rijiju.

On Wednesday, The Indian Express reported the Lt Governor’s office had written to the NDMC seeking “action as per law” while acting on a petition against Khan by Connaught Hotel owner Ramesh Kakkar. The hotel owner has since been arrested in connection with Khan’s murder.

The NDMC official was murdered on May 16 outside his Jamia Nagar house by motorcycle-borne assailants. The Lt Governor’s office issued a second letter on May 11, this time referring to a note from BJP’s East Delhi MP Maheish Girri on the same issue.

In its statement Thursday, the Lt Governor’s office confirmed that a letter to NDMC was sent a day after Khan’s murder.

“An arbitration petition dated 12.05.2016 was also submitted by the same Licensee in this Secretariat. This was also forwarded to Chairperson, New Delhi Municipal Council, for being legally examined and to intimate action taken/position in the matter. It needs to be mentioned that the matter had been duly processed on file in this Secretariat on 16.5.2016, prior to the tragic death of Mr Khan, and the letter dated 17.05.2016 (Kakkar’s petition) was issued in the normal course, without the knowledge of the tragic death,” read the statement.

It added, “The Delhi Police arrested seven people within 24 hours, full recovery was made and further investigations are on. Further, on receipt of a proposal from the Hon’ble Chief Minister, the Lt Governor promptly approved a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the family of the deceased officer.”