New Delhi: The 30-year-old lawyer, Chandrashekhar Azad ‘Ravan’ , who heads the Dalit-rights outfit Bhim Army, was arrested from Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh today, sources in UP Police said.
According to the reports, a total of 25 FIRs were registered linked with the May 9 Saharanpur caste-based clashes, according to police, and Azad was named one of the main accused.
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The UP Home Secretary Mani Prasad Mishra said, ‘’He (Chandrashekhar) was arrested today (Thursday, 8th June, 2017). He was holidaying here (Himachal Pradesh).’’
According to the reports, the Bhim Army’s youth wing leader, Ravi Kumar Gautam, also confirmed the arrest. ‘’Chandrashekhar was in Himachal Pradesh where he was arrested by a team of UP police. They came to Himachal Pradesh in Civil dress and took him away.’’
He further added,’’ We request the administration to follow the rules and take him for medical examination and then to the court. If the administration tries to skip any step, the central and the state governments will be responsible for the consequences. They should withdraw the false cases…. The Dalit community will not tolerate this.’’
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According to police sources, the arrest was made by a team set up by SSP Babloo Kumar and DIG KS Emmanuel, The Special Investigative Team (SIT) Of Saharanpur police.
Chandrashekhar, who is now arrested, was hopping from one state to another since the past month. A source has mentioned that had spent the last month in Uttarakhand, Delhi, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Police has increased the security at Chutmalpur which is Chandrashekhar’s native town in Saharanpur
district, as a precautionary measure.
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UP Police had declared a reward for Rs 12,000 each for information leading to the capture of Chandrashekhar, the 30-year-old leader of the Bhim Army, along with his two associates. Chandrashekhar offered to surrender to the court when he emerged on a stage at a massive rally In New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
A Mahapanchayat was called for in Saharanpur on May 9 by The Bhim Army, in protest against alleged atrocities on Dalits. Multiple invitations were put on social media when the police denied the permission for holding a public meeting. Many people made their way to the venue of the meeting when things turned sour. Supporters of the Bhim Army clashed with the police, following which; Chandrashekhar was booked by the police.