As a 9-minute “objectionable” video emerged on Wednesday showing Aam Aadmi Party minister Sandeep Kumar in compromising position with two women, sources in the AAP say that video has been “recorded by Kumar himself” and that “it was a consensual act”.

india.com

It is not just the video, there are 11 still photographs that show the ousted Minister for Social Welfare and Women and Child Development kissing another woman. The sources also said women in the video and photographs were “aware of the fact that they were being filmed”. They also claimed that it the photos are videos were “taken before Kumar married and made a minister”.

The video clip – which is now in public domain – has led to the sacking of the minister from Delhi Cabinet. Within hours of the CD being leaked, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal removed Kumar with immediate effect.

PTI

The sacking was done by a tweet with Kejriwal declaring that he has received an “objectionable” CD of the minister and since he and his party “stands for propriety in public life”, Kumar has been “removed from the Cabinet with immediate effect”.

Reacting to the incident, the former minister alleged that he was being “targeted under a conspiracy” as he was a Dalit and demanded a probe into the issue.

“This is a conspiracy against me as I belong to Valmiki Samaj. There should be a probe into this matter. I am very hurt by watching the video on television. There is no authenticity of this CD. Authenticity should be checked,” he told reporters at his residence here.

intoday.in

Asked if he was the one featured in the CD, Kumar said that it is a matter of investigation and truth should come out. “I am the only Dalit face of the party. I have been popular among Dalit community, that's why a conspiracy has been hatched against me. Other political parties are after us as we do not have a political background,” he added.

The decision to remove the minister was taken at a high-level meeting attended by top AAP leaders. Kumar, however, insisted that he had resigned on moral grounds.

“I have resigned on basis of morality. If media is trying to twist it then it is wrong. I was a soldier of AAP earlier and now also I won’t let the party be defamed,” he said.

Recd "objectionable" CD of minister Sandeep Kr. AAP stands for propriety in public life. That can't be compromised(1/2) — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 31, 2016

But while the AAP extols into prompt action, the complaint in the case has added another twist in the tale. “Kejriwal had this CD 15 days back. But he sacked the minister after we showed the CD to the LG (Najeeb Jung). It is not at all a politically motivated step,” said Om Prakash, the complaint.

Removing him from Cabinet wid immediate effect(2/2) — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 31, 2016

Sandeep Kumar is the third AAP minister to be removed. Last year, Kejriwal had sacked Asim Ahmed Khan on charges of corruption. Jitendra Singh Tomar too was dropped after he was accused of having fake degrees.

intoday.in

From being youngest minister in the Kejriwal-led Cabinet to facing charges of “adultery”, Sandeep Kumar’s career has spanned over a lot of highs and lows. He is the same man who took pride in touching his wife’s feet everyday. He boasted his devotion towards his wife at swearing in ceremony.

Elected as an MLA from Sultanpur Majra with an impressive margin at a young age of 34, he was made a minister for women and children. After the 9-minute “objectionable” video emerged, he was instantly sacked.

Although the party seems to have put up a transparent face, the incident once again raises questions on the credibility of the AAP.