Under attack over alleged inaction, Uttar Pradesh Police yesterday took into custody Rana in Lucknow on charges of making provocative speech to incite riots, the first major politician to be arrested for Muzaffarnagar violence.
Rana was arrested by police while he was on his way to Gomti Nagar from the party office last evening, immediately after the Uttar Pradesh Assembly was adjourned sine die.
Facing criticism over failure to arrest several MLAs despite warrants being issued against them by a court in Muzaffarnagar, IG (Law and Order) R K Vishwakarma had said the arrest was being “deliberately avoided” as the session of state Assembly was in progress.
“On the basis of the application moved by Muzaffarnagar police, Rana has been arrested by Lucknow police,” Vishwakarma had said.