BJP’s Arjit Shashwat, accused in Bhagalpur violence case, arrested in Patna

Reported by Sanjay Kumar and Rajneesh

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arjit Shashwat on Saturday night surrendered before the police in connection with the recent communal clashes in Bhagalpur in Bihar. Arjit, son of BJP veteran Ashwini Choubey, was arrested by the police soon after his surrender.

The leader surrendered before the police after a warrant was issued in his name and there were also orders of confiscation of property is he remains absconding. Before surrendering, the BJP leader addressed mediapersons, saying the police must first arrest those who indulged in violence.

He had reportedly gone to Varanasi to attend the last rites of a relative, following which he came down to Patna. After offering prayers at Hanuman temple in Patna, Arjit surrendered before the police.

A huge deployment of police personnel was in place as the BJP leader, who had lost the previous Bihar Assembly, surrendered before the cops. Following this, Arjit was taken to Gandhi Maidan police station.

Speaking about his arrested, Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj said that a team under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner of Police was monitoring the case. He further said that a team of Bhagalpur police had also been camping in Patna.

According to the senior police official, the Bhagalpur police team will continue to camp in Patna to arrest other accused in the Bhagalpur violence case. Arjit has been sent to Bhagalpur along with a police team for further action.

Meanwhile, the BJP leader’s wife Vijeta Shashwat said that her husband was not an absconder and was awaiting bail. “He surrendered immediately after he was denied bail,” she said.

Shashwat has been named, besides eight others, in one of the two FIRs lodged at Nathnagar police station of Bhagalpur following communal riots that broke out on March 17 after some people objected to playing of loud music during a procession led by him. It had been taken out allegedly without permission to celebrate the New Year as per the Hindu calendar. Several persons, including two police personnel, were injured in the clashes that witnessed heavy stone-pelting, arson and exchange of fire.

(With PTI Inputs)