Bharat bandh: BSP, BJP leaders held for 'inciting' violence

Madhya Pradesh police said violence in Bhind and Morena districts was 'sponsored'.

A Bahujan Samaj Party district president and a Bharatiya Janata Party leader have been arrested from Muzaffaranagar and Bhopal respectively on charges of inciting violence during the during Bharat bandh called by various Dalit organisations last week against the alleged dilution of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by the Supreme Court.

BSP district chief of Muzaffarnagar Kamal Gautam was arrested and the Uttar Pradesh police registered more than a dozen cases against him.

Gautam, who was arrested on Friday night, was later sent to judicial custody till April 20 by the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate.

He was arrested for allegedly inciting a mob of protesters who turned violent and damaged properties. He was also accused of violating the Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Senior Superintendent of Police Anant Dev said, "As per proof, he provided liquor to party workers and thousands of them, in an inebriated condition, were incited to forcefully shut shops, create a ruckus."

Two people had died in Uttar Pradesh in the violence during the bandh on April 2. 

In Bhopal, BJP leader Gajraj Jatav was on Saturday arrested for inciting violence during the April 2 protests and strike, which left eight persons dead in Madhya Pradesh.

The leader, who had Rs 10,000 reward on his head, was arrested from Hanumanganj area of Bhopal after he spread violence during the strike.

Jatav was wanted and an award was announced after his involvement in the violence in Bhind district came to light.

The Supreme Court in a slew of guidelines also directed that a government official or an individual cannot be prosecuted on a mere allegation of committing an offence under the Act, without the sanction of the appointing authority.

The court ruled that preliminary enquiry in a case under the Act would be done by deputy superintendent of police to ensure the allegations are not frivolous, and to avoid the false implication of an innocent.

The ruling led to a nationwide strike and protests across the country, with people coming out on streets and damaging as well as burning public properties, spreading violence.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh IG (Law and Order) Makrand Deuskar said that violence during the bandh in Bhind and Morena districts was 'funded'. "Several organisations and people had been given money to incite violence. Police is investigating this," he said.