New Delhi | Jagran News Desk: A Delhi court on Saturday sent Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Aazad to 14 days' judicial custody in connection with the violence happened at Old Delhi's Daryaganj on Friday evening after a day-long protest.
The Delhi Police had sought 14 days' judicial custody of Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Aazad, who was produced before a city court after being arrested in connection with the violence in Old Delhi's Daryaganj area.
Azad, who was arrested earlier in the day, sought bail from the court on the ground that there is no evidence that he instigated the Jama Masjid crowd to go to Delhi Gate where the protesters had turned violent. Police opposed his bail plea on the ground that he may threaten witnesses and his judicial remand is necessary for the sake of law and order.
The Delhi Police on Saturday arrested Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Azad in connection with the violence in Old Delhi’s Daryaganj, on Friday evening after a day-long protest. Azad led the protesters to march from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar on Friday against the Citizenship Act, despite being denied by the police. Azad has been arrested for allegedly inciting a mob indulging in violence, the police said.
On Friday evening, after security personnel tried to detain him during the march, Aazad surfaced inside the mosque. He had given the Delhi police a slip to reach the mosque. He came outside Jama Masjid early Saturday and was detained. He was arrested later, police said.
"My name is Chandrashekhar Azad. Police cannot hold me captive. I wore a cap and a shawl and entered the masjid easily," he told news agency PTI.
After being detained, Aazad 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, they added.
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.
The total number of people arrested in connection with the violence has now reached 16, according to police. Over 16 people including minors, who were detained by cops in anti-Citizenship Law protests, have been released by Delhi Police.
40 people were detained in connection with the protest and subsequent violence. Out of them, eight minors were released early Saturday. All the minors have been released only after their parents went to the police station to collect them.
Those arrested have been charged with rioting and using force to deter policemen from doing their duty, police said. According to police, the protesters had set ablaze a private car park at Subhash Marg area on Friday evening. However, the fire was immediately doused by the policemen.
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, Azad 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.
(With PTI Inputs)