Who is Premoday Khakha: Child protection trainer, former OSD to minister

As Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, called for Khakha’s arrest, BJP leaders questioned why he had been picked to serve as the OSD.

“Arvind Kejriwal should answer why the officer was handpicked to serve as his Minister’s OSD… This document shows that Premoday Khakha was appointed as OSD to then WCD Minister, Kailash Gahlot,” Sachdeva said, sharing the letter confirming his appointment as OSD.

In a statement, the AAP asked, “This heinous crime on a minor girl child shakes the consciousness of our society as a whole. The BJP must answer why the Delhi Police did not arrest the accused immediately when the FIR was registered on August 13, 2023. Under whose pressure did the police shield an officer accused of such depravity?”

“We demand a detailed inquiry to investigate these major procedural lacunae. The Delhi government on becoming aware of the matter immediately issued a suspension order against the accused officer” it added.

Delhi BJP secretary Bansuri Swaraj, meanwhile, alleged that the accused officer was close to Gahlot.

Gahlot did not comment on the matter.

Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson, Swati Maliwal, meanwhile, asked the Delhi Police to submit an action taken report in the matter by August 23.

It has asked for details of action taken against the officer, details of any other complaint received against him, and if any action has been taken and the details of the positions he has held in the government.

Khakha has worked on implementing the Integrated Child Protection and Integrated Child Development Schemes of the government over the years. He, as per his profile on LinkedIn, was also a member of the drafting committee for the JJ (CPC) Rules 2016, which are yet to be notified.

He was also in-charge of the government Observation Home for Boys-II. At the time of his arrest, he was the deputy director (Litigation & ICDS).

His LinkedIn profile says he graduated with a Master’s degree in Social Work from Delhi University, after which he served as a Medical Social Service Officer at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).