No lawlessness on Neeraj watch: Home minister

Till just a few weeks back, Neeraj Kumar was the embattled Delhi police chief, seemingly headed for early retirement after a spate of horrific crimes against women headlined by the December 16 gang rape.

Till just a few weeks back, Neeraj Kumar was the embattled Delhi police chief, seemingly headed for early retirement after a spate of horrific crimes against women headlined by the December 16 gang rape.

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On Wednesday, he emerged a survivor, with a ringing endorsement from the home ministry on a job well done.

"There has been no lawlessness in the tenure of Neeraj Kumar. Comparative figures of crimes during his tenure as police chief are lower than the corresponding period last year," said an affidavit filed by the ministry in the Delhi high court.

It was in response to a PIL, filed by Chennai-based retired IAS officer MG Devasahayam, seeking quashing of Kumar's appointment on grounds of rise in crimes and allegations of misuse of power and human rights violations against him.

The affidavit gave comparative statistics on dacoities, murders and kidnappings in the Capital in 2012 and 2013 but was silent on the number of rapes.

The high court had on January 9 asked the Centre why no action was taken against Kumar for failing to prevent the bus gang rape.

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, east Delhi MP Sandeep Dikshit and the BJP had all demanded his ouster.

Home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde himself had pulled up Kumar after hundreds of Jat protesters had invaded his home.

The court will take a stand on the ministry's affidavit on May 31.