In a fresh controversy that raises serious concerns about abuse of power, BJP councillor Aarti Chawla and her husband Rajat Chawla have been accused of attempting to forcibly occupy land belonging to a closed MCD primary school in Old Rajendra Nagar’s Ward 141. The school in question falls under the Karol Bagh zone of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). According to a complaint filed by the school in-charge to the Deputy Commissioner and school inspector, the councillor allegedly demanded the school keys and issued threats of professional retaliation when refused.
The matter came to light on Wednesday through Leader of Opposition in the MCD, Ankush Narang, who revealed that the BJP, since gaining control of the municipal body, has resorted to open hooliganism. He has written to the MCD Commissioner demanding an immediate probe and strict action against both the councillor and her husband for their coercive attempts to encroach upon public land.
In a press conference held on Wednesday, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in MCD, Ankush Narang, said, “Karol Bagh Zone Chairman Puneet Rai has written a letter and brought the matter of the MCD Primary School in Old Rajendra Nagar to my notice. There are two schools here—one functioning and the other closed. Both were merged earlier and have been operating from a single building since. The school in-charge has submitted a written complaint to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and the school inspector stating that the councillor from Ward 141 and her husband tried to forcibly reopen the closed school. When the school in-charge refused, they threatened to break the lock. This incident occurred last Friday.”
He further said, “According to the school in-charge, the BJP councillor has been repeatedly harassing them over phone calls, pressuring them to reopen the closed school. Complaints have also been submitted via WhatsApp and email to the DC and school inspector. Later, the school in-charge submitted a formal written complaint in person. In the complaint, the school in-charge stated that the BJP councillor and her husband are forcibly demanding the keys to the closed school building. When refused, they threatened to break the lock. When the school in-charge told the councillor that she could not hand over the keys or allow the lock to be broken, they threatened to have her removed from her job.”
Ankush Narang pointed out that property prices in Old Rajendra Nagar are skyrocketing. “It is evident that the BJP councillor wants to illegally grab the school land. The school in-charge is under tremendous psychological pressure. Her health is deteriorating due to continuous threats from the BJP councillor. It is shameful that intoxicated by power, BJP leaders are resorting to hooliganism and corruption in their attempt to encroach on public land.”
Ankush Narang also informed the media that he has written to the MCD Commissioner regarding this issue. “The Aam Aadmi Party demands that Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh and the MCD Commissioner initiate an immediate inquiry. The school in-charge is being pressured to hand over keys to enable a land grab. She must be given justice.”
During the press conference, Karol Bagh Zone Chairman and AAP Councillor from Ward 91, Puneet Rai, also addressed the media. “I assumed charge as Chairman of the Karol Bagh Zone on 2 June. Soon after, I received a letter from the Education Department regarding BJP councillor Aarti Chawla and her husband Rajat Chawla. They are allegedly trying to forcibly occupy land belonging to an MCD school in Old Rajendra Nagar. The school was created in 2006 by merging two existing schools. One of the old school buildings now lies vacant. The BJP councillor and her husband have been putting undue pressure on the principal to hand over the keys to this building. Rajat Chawla clearly wants to grab this piece of land.”
Puneet Rai made it clear that elected representatives are meant to solve public problems, not encroach on public property. “The people of Delhi did not elect us to seize land but to resolve their issues. The BJP, emboldened by its so-called four-engine government, believes it can act with impunity. Let me make it absolutely clear: the Aam Aadmi Party will discharge its responsibilities as the opposition with utmost integrity. I have urged the Leader of Opposition, Ankush Narang, to take this matter seriously and raise it with the MCD Commissioner. Illegal activities of this nature must be stopped immediately so that a precedent is set—no councillor should feel powerful enough to illegally occupy public land.”
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