DPCC chief, Congress workers booked for protest at Sadananda Gowda`s residence

Delhi Police on Tuesday registered an FIR against local Congress members after they held a protest outside Rail Minister Sadananda Gowda`s residence here against the railway budget.

New Delhi: Delhi Police on Tuesday registered an FIR against local Congress members, including the party`s Delhi unit chief, after they held a protest outside Rail Minister Sadananda Gowda`s residence here against the railway budget.

The FIR was registered against Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh, its chief spokesperson Mukesh Sharma and 50-60 party workers under sections which include rioting. A Congress worker, identified as one Chattar Singh, was also arrested in this connection. The protesters reached Gowda`s 1, Tyagraj Marg residence at around 3 P.M. And raised slogans against him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the protest, Sharma also allegedly pulled down Gowda`s nameplate outside his residence and stood on it to express his anger. Although Arvinder Singh later criticised the above move, saying it was "wrong" and that he had "tried to stop the protesters from doing it", police have, however, registered a case in this regard and Sharma and others may face arrest. "We have registered a case under sections of rioting, assault to deter public servant from discharge of duty, violating Section 144, which was imposed in the area, wrongful restraint, among others, against around 50-60 people. Some of those named in the FIR are Arvinder Singh and Mukesh Sharma," said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal. Asked whether Singh and Sharma can be arrested, Narwal said, "We are investigating the case and will act as per law." The protest went out of control when the Congress workers saw Gowda in his car as he returned home after presenting the rail budget in Parliament. Seeing Gowda inside the car, the protesters immediately surrounded the vehicle and refused to let him enter his residence for a few minutes. But the security personnel at the spot pushed them away to make way for the minister`s car to enter the premises. Police had to erect barricades around Gowda`s residence to prevent protesters from entering it. Congress leaders had yesterday tried to gherao Parliament House to protest against the rail fare hike, but were prevented from doing so due by the heavy security deployment in the area.