Bihar communal violence: Union Minister's 'missing' son arrested
Arijit Shashwat, son of Union Minister Ashwini Choubey, was arrested late Saturday night in Patna. Shashwat was accused of inciting communal violence in Bhagalpur, while leading a Ram Navami procession on March 17 without permission, where provocative slogans were allegedly raised. Last week, a case was filed against the 36-year-old, but cops maintained he was missing.
Shashwat was arrested around 12:30 AM from the famous Mahavir Temple, near Patna Railway station. He yelled 'Jai Shri Ram' before being bundled into a police van. Additional SP Rakesh Dubey said, "We got information of his whereabouts and began our surveillance. Bhagalpur Police was also here with an arrest warrant. Apart from inciting violence, Shashwat has also been accused of roaming with arms.
I am going to surrender(in Bhagalpur violence case). We will also approach higher courts. The FIR against me is totally fake: Arijit Shashwat, son of Union Minister Ashwini Chaubey. #Bihar pic.twitter.com/OTcBThhq9p
— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2018
The aforementioned incident of violence broke out in Bahgalpur during Ram Navami processions, and soon spread to 11 of 38 districts of the state. At least 70 shops were burnt by the rioters affecting 90 shopkeepers, but no death has been reported. By March 31, the police claimed to have arrested 215 people in connection to riots. Fifteen 15 FIRs had been lodged.
Former Deputy CM and now leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav called state CM Nitish Kumar a coward for not being able to check the situation. Earlier, Ashwin Choubey had called the FIR against his son "nothing but a piece of garbage which was registered by corrupt officers." After facing opposition's heat, Kumar had said, "We are willing to pay any price to restore peace."
