Bhagalpur: BJP minister's son Arijit Shashwat resurfaces, denies reports of fleeing

Shashwat, accused of inciting communal violence at Nathnagar in Bhagalpur district, has moved an anticipatory bail application

ANI photo

PATNA: Denying all rumours of flight, Arijit Shashwat – son of Union Minister Ashwini Choubey – accused of inciting communal violence at Nathnagar in Bhagalpur district, has moved an anticipatory bail application.

“If the police comes to arrest me I will do what they ask. I am moving an anticipatory bail application,” said Shashwat.

When asked about surrendering before the court, Shashwat said, “Why should I surrender? The Court issues warrant but the court also gives shelter. Once you go to the court, you will do only what it decides for you.”

“Mein nyayalay ki sharan mein hun. Bhaagte woh hain, khojna unko padta hai jo kahin gayab ho gaye hon, mein samaaj ke beech mein hun (I am at the mercy of judiciary. Need to look out for someone arises when they flee. I am right here),” he added.

A clash broke out on Saturday between two groups over an alleged procession with songs and slogans. The riots erupted when a group of people reportedly objected to loud music during the procession. The two groups even pelted stones at each other. An FIR was subsequently filed against Shashwat who was leading BJP, RSS and Bajrang Dal workers' procession for allegedly inciting people with communal comments.

Meanwhile, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said the arrest warrant issued against Ashwini Choubey`s son by the state government is a mere show-off.

Yadav taking to his twitter handle said, Arjit Chaube against whom an arrest warrant has been issued, has carried out another procession where he can be seen armed with a sword.

"Arjit Chaube son of Union Min Ashwini Chaube is Wanted in a case. Nitish govt have issued arrest warrant on him for inciting riots in Bhagalpur but today he took out another procession on the occasion of Ram Navami armed with a sword accompanied by BJP MLAs," read a tweet.

Ashwini Choubey, the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, refuted all charges, saying his son did not do anything wrong."I am proud that he is my son. I am proud that my son did not do anything wrong, he was raising slogans in tribute of Bharat Mata, the people from Bharatiya Navvarsh Jagran Samiti and Bhagalpur took out a procession for Hindu New Year. No one was hurt during the procession," said Choubey.

With agency inputs