Cong demands sacking of murder-accused MP minister

Madhya Pradesh Congress leaders today today staged a sit-in outside Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's residence here demanding the sacking of cabinet minister Lal Singh Arya who is accused of being involved in the killing of Congress MLA Makhanlal Jatav.
Arya holds the charge of general administration department (GAD) in the state government.
Leader of Opposition in MP Assembly, Ajay Singh, and Congress MLAs Govind Singh and Arif Aqueel, staged the protest outside Chouhan's official residence in Shyamla Hills area in the state capital.
Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh had also yesterday demanded that Arya be sacked from the cabinet.

On May 19, a special court in Bhind had issued an arrest warrant against Arya in the 2009 murder case of Jatav, but stayed its execution till June 3, on a plea made by the minister's counsel.
The Leader of Opposition said despite a case of murder being registered in the matter and the court issuing an arrest warrant, state BJP president Nandkumar Singh Chauhan was stating that it (court order) is not acceptable.

"The protest will continue till Arya, who is an accused in a murder case, resigns or is sacked from the cabinet. The agitation will also be held at district and block levels on the issue," state Congress spokesman J P Dhanopia told PTI.

Later, Ajay Singh, Arif Aqeel and Govind Singh were arrested from the Shyamla Hills area, Bhopal Superintendent of Police, North, Arvind Saxena said.
Some other Congress workers were also taken into custody from Banganga police station area, he said.
The leaders were later released, the SP said.