AAP leader Ashish Khetan moves SC, alleges death threat, demands protection

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Ashish Khetan has approached the Supreme Court alleging he received death threats from “right-wing” organisations and should be given police protection. Khetan has alleged Sanatan Sanstha sent him threats after he reported against them.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Ashish Khetan has approached the Supreme Court alleging he received death threats from a “right-wing” organisation and should be given police protection.

Vice-chairman of the Dialogue and Development Commission Ashish Khetan has approached the Supreme Court alleging he received death threats from a “right-wing” organisation. (Hindustan Times)

Vice-chairman of the Dialogue and Development Commission (DDC) of Delhi — a rank equivalent to that of a cabinet minister in Delhi government — Khetan has filed the petition under the rule that allows a citizen to seek direct intervention of the top court on the ground that his fundamental rights are being violated.

Settled by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, Khetan’s petition claims his right to free speech and life and liberty is under threat. His complaints to the Delhi Police and even the Union home minister have gone unheard, prompting him to move the top court. The “prominent” AAP leader wants SC to order a court-monitored CBI probe and book those who have issued the threats to him.

Advocate Sunil Fernandes mentioned Khetan’s petition before a justice LN Rao-headed vacation bench, which did not accept his plea for an urgent hearing next week. The court said the petition would be taken up on June 5.

In his petition, Khetan has asked the court to frame guidelines for law-enforcement agencies to follow whenever they get complaints from citizens receiving death threats.

Khetan has accused an organization named Sanatan Sanstha of sending him the threats. He said the organisation wrote against him in its mouthpiece Dainik Sanatan Prabhat in June 2016, saying the former journalist should “be taught a lesson” for making statements against them. A month later, he reportedly received an anonymous letter threatening him. Khetan allegedly received a similar letter in May this year.

According to Khetan, the threats are linked to his investigative reports against the right-wing organisation during the Gujarat riots and exposing their alleged involvement in the murder of social activists. Khetan claimed to have also exposed the role of Sanatan Sanstha in the alleged killings.

“The threat is a chilling reminder of the growing confidence of the anti-national and fascists forces who want to disseminate all anti-voices with violence,” the petition read.