Delhi police file FIR after dead fish wash up in Yamuna river

Delhi Police registered an FIR at the Wazirabad police station after millions of dead fish were found floating in the Yamuna river near the Sonia Vihar ghat. The complaint was filed by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi. Police invoked sections 353, 352, and 240 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Arrest Made

Investigators arrested Surendra Kumar Azad in connection with the incident after he uploaded the first video of the dead fish on social media, where he describes himself as a BSP worker. Police sources confirmed he has since been granted bail, while DCP Niharika Bhatt stated that a thorough investigation is underway.

Political Row

The discovery triggered a major political clash between the Aam Aadmi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party just ahead of Chhath Puja. AAP claimed that chemical substances were sprayed into the water before starting a cruise or ferry service, causing the deaths. BJP countered that AAP is engaging in cheap politics by bringing dead fish from a fish market to dump in the river and blame the government.

Context

Chhath Puja is a major festival in northern India where devotees offer prayers to the setting and rising sun while standing waist-deep in water. Rivers like the Yamuna face severe annual scrutiny over pollution and froth levels during this period, often sparking intense political disputes between rival parties in the capital.