AAP MLA detained for 10 hours amid sanitation worker’s cremation, Rs 10-lakh aid for family

For the third consecutive day, protests over the murder of a sanitation worker in East Delhi persisted on Sunday. AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar, who led the agitation, was arrested by the police early Tuesday and held for over ten hours. The Delhi Mayor announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh and a job for a member of the deceased worker's family.

Kumar's wife, Deepa, filed a Habeas Corpus petition in the Delhi High Court, alleging that her husband was "kidnapped" while asleep at their residence. Later, the police informed the court that Kumar had been released at 3:48 pm. Kumar claimed he was taken to a Narcotics Department office in Preet Vihar and released after the police were informed about his intention to file a Habeas Corpus plea.

Police, however, stated that Kumar and five others, including Bhim Army members, were detained for allegedly "instigating people to create a ruckus" and obstructing garbage collection work. The detained individuals were released before the court hearing, which took place after Deepa requested an urgent listing of her plea. During the hearing, Deepa's lawyer expressed concerns about the police destroying CCTV cameras and taking away the DVR from Kumar's residence, suggesting attempts to destroy evidence.

The court dismissed the petition, stating that Kumar's release served the purpose of the lawsuit. Meanwhile, the body of 27-year-old Anil Kumar, the sanitation worker whose death sparked the protests, was cremated in the afternoon. Anil's cousin alleged that the family was pressured by the police to cremate the body quickly, similar to a forced cremation in Hathras.