Under attack over alleged inaction, Uttar Pradesh police yesterday took into custody BJP MLA Suresh Rana on charges of making provocative speech to incite riots, the first major politician to be arrested for Muzaffarnagar violence.
Rana, who is BJP MLA from Thana Bhawan in riot-affected Shamli district, was arrested by Lucknow police while he was on his way to Gomti Nagar from the party office this evening, immediately after the Uttar Pradesh Assembly was adjourned sine die.
Facing criticism over failure to arrest several MLAs despite warrants being issued against them by a court in Muzaffarnagar, IG (Law and Order) R K Vishwakarma had yesterday said the arrest was being "deliberately avoided" as the session of state Assembly was in progress.
"On the basis of the application moved by Muzaffarnagar police, Rana has been arrested by Lucknow police," Vishwakarma said today.
He said that a case has been lodged against Rana under sections 188 (knowingly disobeying orders to maintain public order), 153 A (promoting enmity between groups on the basis of religion) 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty) and 435 (damage to property) of IPC and criminal law amendment act, which is non-bailable.
Rana was among the 16 politicians and community leaders against whom a Muzaffarnagar court had on Wednesday issued non-bailable arrest warrants.
Heavy force was deployed in the area as BJP leaders and workers followed the arrested MLA. State BJP president Laxmi Kant Bajpai and legislature party leader Hukum Singh wre among those who reached Gomti Nagar police station where Rana was taken.
Amid tight security, Rana was produced before additional chief judicial magistrate Shail Kumari at her residence and sent to a 20-hour transit remand.
The communal clashes in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas claimed 47 lives and displaced over 40,000 people.
The BJP lashed out at the Samajwadi Party government alleging that its workers were being targeted and implicated in cases "without evidence". The party also called for a bandh in western UP districts on Sunday.
