nThe Delhi Police on Saturday arrested Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar and 15 others in connection with the violence that took place in Daryaganj in Old Delhi on Friday evening during a protest against the newly introduced Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Police said that they have also arrested 11 people in connection with the violence at Seemapuri.
All 27 accused were on Saturday produced before a local court which has sent them to 14-days judicial custody. The court also denied bail to all the accused.
Bhim Army, a political outfit, had organised a march from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar on Friday against the new Citizenship Law, despite not having permission from police. On Friday evening, after security personnel tried to detain Chandra Shekhar during the march, he surfaced inside the mosque. He had given the Delhi police a slip to reach the mosque.
"He came outside Jama Masjid early on Saturday and was detained. He was arrested later. After being detained, Chandra Shekhar was kept at the Crime Branch office in Chanakyapuri since he said he was unwell. He was later handed over to the central district police," said a senior police official.
"Following his arrest, he was taken to a hospital for a medical check-up and will be produced in a court. Police suspect he instigated the crowd which turned violent near Delhi Gate and burnt a car," said a police official.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police have also arrested 15 men in connection with the violence in Daryaganj and they have been charged with rioting and using force to deter policemen from doing duty.
The accused have been identified as Ashfaq, Irfauddin, Abbas, Athar, Atif, Shabbir Ahmad, Danish Malik, Rehan Khan, Haider Ali, Zaid, Furkan, Danish, Shamsher Shan, Mohd Ali and Aamir. Police said that they were produced in court today which has sent them to 14 days judicial custody.
The protesters marching towards Jantar Mantar from Jama Masjid were stopped by police and paramilitary personnel near Delhi Gate, after which they turned violent and set a car on fire and damaged a few other vehicles. Police resorted to lathi-charge and used a water cannon to control the situation.
On Friday, Aazad had urged his supporters to carry on the protest against the contentious law peacefully. "Those who are indulging in violence are not our people. Our peaceful protest continues at the historic Jama Masjid. Ambedkarites do not indulge in violence," he had tweeted
In Northeast Delhi, 11 people have been arrested for allegedly hurling stones during a protest in Seemapuri against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in which an additional deputy commissioner of police was injured, police said on Saturday.
Police said that the Additional DCP, Shahdara district, Rohit Rajbir Singh suffered minor injuries in the incident and he is fine now.
"Five 'outsiders' from neighbouring areas were detained in connection with the incident and later they were arrested. It is suspected that they had come with an intention to create mischief. Six more were arrested by police for rioting," said a police official.