Bhim Army chief sent to judicial custody, bail plea rejected

Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad was sent to 14-day judicial custody after he was arrested outside Jama Masjid in Delhi on Saturday (December 21) in connection with violence in Daryaganj area.

An FIR was filed against Azad for “instigating the crowd” in Daryaganj where a mob arsoned a private car. Police resorted to lathi charge and used water cannons to control the situation.

Azad was accused of organizing a march from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar on Friday against the Citizenship Amendment Act despite not having permission from the police.

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Even before the march, several teams of Delhi police reportedly tried to detain him but were unable to reach him. He was later seen outside Jama Masjid after Friday prayers surrounded by a group of his followers. In the midst of the crowd, Azad was seen holding the Constitution of India, which had a picture of Ambedkar on its cover.

Immediately, Delhi police tried to detain him but he managed to escape in the crowd. It was even reported that Azad evaded police by jumping from terrace to terrace. He later tweeted that he would surrender if all those who have been detained are released.

He showed up inside the mosque later following which he was arrested when he came out.

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Azad was kept at the Crime Branch office in Chanakyapuri after his arrest and handed over to the central district police later. He was produced at Tis Hazari court on Saturday evening and the court ordered judicial custody of Azad for 14 days after the rejection of his bail plea.

On Friday, Azad urged his supporters to carry on the protest against the contentious law peacefully. “Those who are indulging in violence are not our people. Our peaceful protest continues at the historic Jama Masjid. Ambedkarites do not indulge in violence,” he tweeted.