Twist in Lamba case as footage shows her vandalizing shop

NEW DELHI: In a twist to the attack on AAP legislator Alka Lamba, police on Monday registered an FIR against the MLA for trespassing and assaulting policemen after CCTV footage from a sweet shop in the area showed Lamba and her supporters vandalizing the place.
The FIR (number 398) has been filed under stringent sections 186, 353, 451 and 427 of IPC on attacking and obstructing policemen, trespassing and causing damage, at Kashmere Gate police station in north Delhi.
The move comes after shopkeepers of Yamuna Bazar complained to the police and submitted the footage.
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Social activist Indu Prakash, who was at the spot, said Lamba and her supporters were angry because they suspected that someone from the shop’s terrace had thrown a stone that hit the MLA on the head. The youth, Jatin, was dragged out and handed over to policemen accompanying Lamba.
Delhi Police PRO Rajan Bhagat said on Monday that Lamba had called up DCP north Madur Verma on Saturday evening saying she wanted to carry out a drug de-addiction programme in the area. The DCP assured her that force would be provided and she was given three sub-inspectors and eight constables
“However, instead of meeting drug addicts, she and her aides started ransacking, vandalizing and intimidating shopkeepers. Her injuries are minor in nature,” a senior officer said.
The video shows Lamba entering a shop and pushing a cash machine from the counter. The complainant, Santosh Kumar, said that around 6.45am Lamba suddenly pushed aside a policeman and barged into his shop, Shiv Mistanna Bhandar, asking him to shut it down. He said Lamba was accompanied by 25-30 supporters and group of homeless people who stayed in the locality.
“I did not know what had happened but the MLA came and threw my cash box to the floor accused me of encroachment,” he told the police. Another AAP worker entered the shop and pushed a table, throwing its contents on the floor, he added.
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However Indu Prakash dissuaded him from causing further damage. While leaving, the MLA even threatened to get the shop demolished saying that it was illegal, Santosh said in his complaint.
Police said that they would question Prakash, other employees of the shop and even AAP supporters about the incident which will be corroborated with the versions of the policemen present at the spot. Lamba may also be called for questioning in the next few days.