AAP MLA Mahinder Yadav arrested for ‘rioting''

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, January 29

An Aam Aadmi Party MLA from west Delhi's Vikaspuri area, Mahinder Yadav, was arrested today under several charges, including rioting and assaulting a public servant during a protest seeking action against an alleged sexual offender. The 38-year-old accused had sexually assaulted a three-year-old girl.

According to the police, Yadav allegedly led a violent protest in the Nihal Vihar area on Thursday evening, following the sexual assault of the girl. The mob allegedly attacked public vehicles and tried to set a vehicle on fire.

The protesters demanded immediate arrest of the accused, alleging that the police were not promptly pursuing the case. The police today said the accused had been arrested much before the protest.

The police said the protesters in the Nihal Vihar area allegedly manhandled a police team which had tried to pacify them.

"While the accused was arrested on Thursday evening, much before the crowd had gathered there, somebody floated a rumour that the police have refused to arrest him, leading to the agitation by the MLA," said a police officer.

The police arrested the MLA at about 12 pm today under charges of rioting, arson, assault on public servant, wrongful restraint and damage to public property. Several others have been detained at the police station.

Yadav is the sixth AAP legislator to be arrested. Earlier, MLAs Akhilesh Tripathi, Somnath Bharti, Commando Surinder Singh, Manoj Kumar and former Law Minister Jitender Singh

Tomar were arrested on various charges.

Reacting to Yadav's arrest, AAP's Delhi convener Dilip Pandey tweeted, "Delhi Police busy again arresting AAP MLA instead of ensuring Delhi women safety despite multiple warnings from courts." "MLA Mahendra Yadav arrested, for what? He was there where public was protesting against rape of a girl child? Is it wrong to ask for justice?" he said.

The AAP leader also took a dig at the Centre saying it was not providing funds to Delhi Police to install CCTV cameras across the city.

"Finance Ministry has no fund for security camera. Delhi still a rape capital. Court slammed (it) multiple times, but who cares. DP (Delhi Police) busy hunting AAP MLAs," he tweeted. (With PTI inputs)