EC Demands Kejriwal to Submit Evidence of Haryana Govt 'Poisoning' Delhi Water Supply

 

The Election Commission (EC) has asked Arvind Kejriwal, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi Chief Minister, to provide factual and legal evidence supporting his serious allegations against the BJP-led Haryana government. Kejriwal had claimed that the Haryana government was attempting to poison Delhi’s water supply in the lead-up to the February 5 Assembly elections.

In its letter to Kejriwal, the EC demanded that he provide a “factual and legal matrix along with evidentiary support” by 8 pm on Wednesday. The Commission called Kejriwal’s claim—alleging that Delhi Jal Board engineers had thwarted an attempt to poison the city's water supply—“extremely serious and unprecedented.” The EC also noted Kejriwal’s comparison of this alleged incident to nuclear and biological warfare, underlining the gravity of his statement.

While the EC did not formally issue a notice, it stated that it was examining the matter in light of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and other relevant laws. The poll body further highlighted that a report from the Delhi Jal Board did not mention any poisoning in the Yamuna River.

The Commission emphasized that such allegations, if proven false, could mislead voters and negatively impact the electoral process. “Electors tend to believe public statements made by their leaders, and false claims can vitiate the purity of elections and erode voter trust,” the EC said. It also reminded Kejriwal, given his extensive administrative experience, that he was expected to substantiate such claims with credible evidence.

In its communication, the EC referred to several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Section 196, which deals with promoting enmity between groups, and Section 353, concerning statements that could lead to public mischief.

Meanwhile, the complaint raised by Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann regarding rising ammonia levels in the water from Haryana to Delhi was being dealt with separately. The EC is awaiting a report from the Haryana government on the ammonia content. Sources indicate that the response from Haryana, received by the EC on Tuesday, is still under consideration.

Atishi and Mann met with the EC on Tuesday, presenting evidence of toxic ammonia levels in the Yamuna River. Atishi explained that while Delhi’s water treatment plants can process ammonia up to 1-2 parts per million (ppm), recent reports indicate that ammonia levels have surged to 7 ppm. She warned that if this toxic water continues to be released, several water treatment plants could be forced to shut down, affecting 30% of the capital’s water supply.

In response to Kejriwal’s claims, a delegation of BJP leaders, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, met with the Election Commission. They called for action against Kejriwal, alleging that his statements violated the Model Code of Conduct. Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit also lodged a complaint, condemning both Kejriwal and Atishi’s remarks.