AAP Councillor Arrested in Major Gambling Raid in Delhi

A municipal councillor from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Joginder Singh, was arrested along with six others during a police raid in connection with a gambling racket in Swaroop Nagar, northwest Delhi. The incident unfolded when police received a tip-off regarding illegal gambling activities taking place at an office located in Kadipur village.

Upon arriving at the scene, the police discovered a hidden door within the premises. Upon opening it, they found seven men and one woman actively engaged in gambling with playing cards, surrounded by substantial amounts of cash. As law enforcement entered, the suspects attempted to conceal their activities by hiding the money and cards, but they were swiftly apprehended. One individual managed to escape during the commotion.

The police seized a total of Rs 4,35,550 in cash, alongside two bundles of playing cards and other gambling paraphernalia. In light of the findings, authorities have registered a case under Sections 3 and 4 of the Delhi Public Gambling Act against the accused.

Political Reactions to the Arrest

The arrest has stirred political controversy, with AAP officials responding to inquiries about Singh’s involvement. A spokesperson for AAP stated that the party has faced a barrage of allegations from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the past decade, suggesting that central government agencies are being used to target political rivals. They emphasized the difficulty in evaluating allegations made by BJP-controlled entities.

In response, Virendra Sachdeva, president of the Delhi BJP, criticized AAP leadership, claiming that a troubling pattern has emerged among AAP leaders since the party lost power. He pointed to Singh’s history, recalling an incident during the 2022 municipal election campaign when the councillor was captured on video brandishing a revolver. Sachdeva challenged Saurabh Bharadwaj, AAP’s Delhi president, to take decisive action regarding Singh’s membership in the party or dismiss the allegations as another BJP conspiracy.

This incident highlights ongoing tensions between AAP and BJP in Delhi politics, particularly as accusations and counter-accusations continue to shape the political landscape. The ramifications of Singh’s arrest may extend beyond the immediate legal implications, potentially impacting AAP’s public image as it navigates these challenges.