Manish Sisodia, 52 AAP MLAs detained ahead of protest outside PM's residence, released

The police has released the 52 AAP MLAs including the Delhi Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, who were detained earlier on Sunday morning. The Delhi police had arrested the AAP leaders ahead of their protest march to the Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi’s residence to stop any “untoward incidents in a high security zone." The Delhi police had told the reporters that the AAP leaders were detained for violating prohibitory orders around 7 racecourse. As a precautionary measure, Section 144 is imposed at 7 Racecourse and the entry and exit points to the Racecourse metro station were also closed.

Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia & AAP leaders detained by police near Tughlaq Road, on their way to 7 RCR pic.twitter.com/HYXPfnNPe6

— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2016

Section 144 imposed at 7 RCR as Deputy CM Manish Sisodia &AAP MLAs head towards PM's residence to surrender,Race Course metro station closed

— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2016

In what could be seen as a reaction to the Centre returning AAP government’s key bills, Sisodia has decided to court arrest before Modi can “turn it around to have him arrested.” Also, another AAP MLA Dinesh Mohaniya was arrested amid high-drama on Saturday on charges of  molestation and sexual harassment, while he was addressing a press conference.

The Delhi police however clarified in a press conference on Sunday, Mohaniya was arrested because he was not cooperating in the investigation.

Dinesh Mohaniya was arrested because he was not cooperating,he was avoiding and did not join investigation:Special CP(crime branch)Taj Hasan

— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2016

Mohaniya, who is also vice chairman of Delhi Jal Board, was picked up by a police team while addressing a press conference at his office in Khanpur. He was booked for allegedly misbehaving with a group of women who approached him with a complaint regarding water crisis in their locality.

Sisodia said although they were detained and taken to the Parliament Police Station, he and his partymen were ready to go to Tihar Jail. “Modiji, you have arrested us and kept us in Parliament Street Police Station. We are ready to go to Tihar Jail. But do not stop the work of Delhi,” he tweeted.

मोदी जी! आपने गिरफ्तार कर पार्लियामेंट थाने में रखा है, हम सब तिहाड़ जाने को तैयार हैं बस अब दिल्ली की जनता के काम मत रोकिए। #ArrestMeModi

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) June 26, 2016

The AAP-BJP spats have been hitting the headlines since past few weeks. The political rivalry between the two parties have also amused the Tweeples; #ArrestMeModi was trending on twitter ahead of the planned march as various AAP leaders also took to twitter.

Arrest me, search me, raid me, sue me, you are welcome to torment us however you like.

At least let us work for Delhi! #ArrestMeModi

— Durgesh Pathak (@ipathak25) June 26, 2016

#ArrestMeModi Modi ji's tribute to Indira Gandhi. Undeclared emergency on Emergency's anniversary.

— Deepak Bajpai (@BajpaiDeepak) June 26, 2016

Earlier in the morning, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and MLAs had met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and decided to take out a march to 7 Racecourse on Sunday, to protest against a complaint filed against Sisodia, according to CNN-News18.  “We are going to 7 RCR to surrender before PM today…Arrest us but do not stop our work,” Sisodia said while addressing reporters.

#Breaking President of Ghazipur Vegetable Market Association on Saturday submitted a complaint against Delhi’s Deputy CM, Manish Sisodia.

— News18 (@CNNnews18) June 26, 2016

AAP MLAs to meet @ArvindKejriwal at 9 am. Thereafter, MLAs led by @msisodia will march to 7 RCR and court arrest.

— News18 (@CNNnews18) June 26, 2016

Manish Sisodia was on an official visit to the Ghazipur fruit and vegetable market on Saturday, where he interacted with the marketing traders. The president of the East Delhi’s vegetable market association, Surender Goswami later approached the police and alleged that Sisodia “lost his cool” and “adopted a dictatorial attitude” while he tried to flag the concerns of traders, according to a report in The Statesman .

(Cntd) stating that Manish Sisodia adopted a dictatorial attitude on hearing their grievances during his visit at Gazipur Mandi: S B K Singh

— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2016

Goswami alleged that after the argument grew more intense, Sisodia also asked his security personals to click his picture and he threatened to cancel the trader’s license, according to The Statesman.

Meanwhile, the Delhi police said that no complaint would be filed against the leader as no cognizable offence was found to be committed. in the matter. ANI also quoted the Special Commissioner, Law and Order, as saying that no action against Sisodia will be initiated as of now.

No police action has been initiated yet regarding this complaint: SBK Singh, Special Commissioners (Law & Order)

No police action has been initiated yet regarding this complaint: SBK Singh, Special Commissioners (Law & Order)

— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2016

Police said they have received a complaint, but no FIR would be registered as no cognizable offence was found to be committed.

— News18 (@CNNnews18) June 26, 2016

Nonetheless, Sisodia was quick to give this incident a political colour and tweeted out that he is sure that Modi will use the incident to corner him and thwart the “Delhi government’s work”. He also said that the Prime Minister was capable of turning a petty incident into a case of violence or eve-teasing against him. The AAP was quick to respond and party MLAs decided to meet the CM and take out a march to 7 Racecourse, where Manish Sisodia planned to also court arrest.

मुझे यकीं है कि मोदी जी कल इस शिकायत को रंगदारी, हिंसा, लड़की छेड़ने जैसे आरोपों में बदलवाकर मुझे भी गिरफ्तार करने का इंतज़ाम कर लेंगे।2/2

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) June 25, 2016

मोदी जी! आपकी हमसे दुश्मनी है, हमें गिरफ्तार कर लो पर दिल्ली के काम मत रोको। हम सब आपके समक्ष सरेंडर करने आ रहे हैं। https://t.co/Fp7mDi4y7V

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) June 26, 2016

Sisodia also alleged that those who filed a complaint against him were indulging in illegal trade and they have threatened him to file a complaint against him. “I went to Ghazipur mandi yesterday, saw some people indulging in illegal practices. I warned them that if they continue, I’ll get their license canceled,” Sisodia said. “I scolded them too, they are saying I misbehaved. Yes, I did. If I see anyone indulge in illegal practices, I will scold them.”

Meanwhile, snubbing the incident as a non-issue, BJP leader and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said, “If we will comment on everything that Kejriwal Ji says, who will serve the people of the country.”

If we too comment on everything Kejriwal ji say, who will serve the people of country? Kiren Rijiju (MoS, Home) pic.twitter.com/M4J70S8ZhF

— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2016

(With inputs from PTI)