BJP MP Girri Ends Fast After Rajnath Visits Him at Protest Site

New Delhi: Three days into his protest against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, BJP MP Maheish Girri on Tuesday ended his fast-unto-death after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh showed up at the site and made an appeal to him.

A few metres away from Kejriwal's official residence, Girri sipped a glass of water and once again dared the Chief Minister to an open debate into the death of NDMC estate officer Mohammed Moin Khan at a place of his choice "in the next 24 hours".

The East Delhi MP was on protest demanding proof from Kejriwal about his allegations that he was involved in Khan's murder and demanded an apology in case the Chief Minister was unable to do so.

"He had given a challenge for debate. Accepting challenge depends on one's courage, capacity and conscience. But a life cannot be endangered over a challenge," Singh said.

The Home Minister is understood to have assured Girri of a impartial probe into the case.

Kejriwal has been demanding Girri's arrest alleging that he was involved in the May 16 murder of Khan, a day before he was scheduled to pass the final order on the lease terms of 'Connaught Hotel' located on a property leased out by the New Delhi Municipal Council.

The AAP attacked the Home Minister for visiting Girri at the protest site.

"This will be the first time that an HM (Home Minister) instead of ordering the questioning of a murder suspect will be felicitating him," AAP's Ashish Khetan tweeted ahead of Singh's visit to the protest site.

AAP's Rajouri Garden MLA Jarnail Singh said, "It's a shame Home Minister of India is standing with culprits and not with martyred MM Khan's family. He couldn't get time to visit Khan's residence. Home Minister is affecting the probe by giving wrong signals."

Without taking any name, Kejriwal had previously alleged that a person was being shielded from being probed into the case as he was "friends" with the Union Home Minister.

"I end my fast at behest of @HMOIndia Shri @rajnathsingh Ji. Thanks to all karyakartas, volunteers, ppl, media for love, affection, blessings," Girri tweeted.