Kerala to take legal action against Delhi Police

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Government will initiate legal action against Delhi Police if they continued to maintain that the raid at Kerala House was justified, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy announced here today.

Rejecting the argument of the Delhi Police that they were carrying out their duty, the Chief Minister said that the police action was aimed at creating fear and was even a threat to Federal structure of the country.  “The conduct of police is no way acceptable. The police was trying to please someone”

The Police had rushed to Kerala House for its raid without ascertaining the veracity of the complaint or making any enquiries with senior officials of Kerala Government. They did not show courtesies required when acting against a government establishment. They also did not have permission to conduct a raid and hence had acted in breach of law, Mr. Chandy said.

Though cow meat is banned in Delhi, the authority to enforce the ban was the Director of Animal Husbandry, Delhi. The police could not enter or inspect any premises without permission from an authorised veterinary officer. He had already written to Prime Minister Naredra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh demanding action against the police. Kerala would be lenient if Delhi Police admitted its mistake.

He said that Kerala House will continue to serve buffalo meat as long as it was legal to do so. In Kerala, people had the freedom of choice of their food.

He thanked Delhi Chief Minister Aravind Kejriwal and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for their support to Kerala.

Meanwhile, beef was served at the Kerala House canteen today. A posse of Delhi police were present to provide protection.