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Ramdev blames Chidambaram for Ramlila ground crackdown

Yoga guru Ramdev on Monday alleged in the Supreme Court that Home Minister P Chidambaram was behind the midnight crackdown on him and his followers during the protests on the issue of black money at the Ramlila Maidan in June.

Senior advocate Ram Jethmalani, appearing for Ramdev, sought a direction that the home minister should explain the incident and a notice should be issued to him personally.

A bench comprising justices B S Chauhan and Swatanter Kumar said it will consider the plea after receiving the response of Delhi police and posted the matter for next hearing on July 25.

Chidambaram must explain: Ramdev

Jethmalani said Ramdev had taken a decision not to walk down to Jantar Mantar to protest against corruption. He was with his followers at the Ramlila Maidan when the crackdown was launched.

He alleged there was no order of externment against Ramdev and therefore Chidambaram must be called to explain when and why the decision was taken to get the area vacated.

Delhi police questioned by court

However, before Jethmalani began the submissions, the bench told senior advocate Harish Salve, who was appearing for the Delhi police, that there was a need for response on some of the issues on which the law enforcing agency was silent.

The bench questioned the Delhi police about not registering the FIR on the complaint of the yoga guru's followers against the alleged atrocities committed by the authorities. The bench said this has to be clarified in an affidavit.