A significant development has emerged in Rajasthan’s high-profile phone tapping case. Ashok Gehlot’s former OSD (Officer on Special Duty), Lokesh Sharma, has withdrawn his petition filed in the Delhi High Court to prevent his arrest. The High Court has granted permission for the withdrawal, lifting the stay on Sharma’s arrest. Following this decision, the Delhi Crime Branch is now free to arrest Lokesh Sharma. Commenting on his decision, Sharma stated that he has already been cooperating with the Crime Branch in their investigation and will continue to assist in any further investigations.
In fact, after the phone tapping case surfaced, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat filed an FIR with the Delhi Crime Branch, in which Lokesh Sharma was named. To prevent his arrest, Sharma had filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, which he has now decided to withdraw.
Hearing Held on November 14
The petition withdrawal request by Lokesh Sharma was heard on Thursday, November 14, by a bench of Justice Anish Dayal. During the hearing, Lokesh Sharma decided to withdraw his filed petition.
The Complete Case
In 2021, during political turmoil in Rajasthan, some audio clips went viral, claiming attempts were being made to buy Congress MLAs. It was alleged that Lokesh Sharma, then OSD to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, had released these audios. This controversy led to accusations against Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat of attempting to buy MLAs. Shekhawat, in turn, filed an FIR with the Delhi Crime Branch, alleging illegal phone tapping, with Lokesh Sharma named in the FIR.
Lokesh Sharma’s Allegations Against Former CM
Lokesh Sharma alleged that Ashok Gehlot had instructed him to release the audio clips. After being questioned by the Delhi Crime Branch, Sharma held a press conference in Jaipur, making these allegations. The former OSD claimed to have presented several important pieces of evidence to the Delhi Police and suggested that former CM Ashok Gehlot may also come under the scope of investigation.
