Jalandhar Police Detain 16 Political Leaders in Midnight Operation
In a dramatic late-night development, Jalandhar police arrested 16 leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress past midnight on Tuesday. The arrests followed their detention during a protest against the demolition of a portion of a hotel owned by a local vernacular media group based in Jalandhar.
FIR Registered Against 24 Persons for Obstructing Officials
An FIR has been registered naming 24 individuals, accusing them of assaulting and obstructing public servants while on duty. The majority of those arrested were identified as BJP leaders, highlighting the political nature of the incident.
Prominent Figures Among the Detained
- Former MP Sushil Rinku (BJP)
- Former MLA Sheetal Angural (BJP)
- All India Mahila Congress national coordinator Jasleen Sethi, the only woman detained
- Former Congress MLA Rajinder Beri
- Punjab Youth Congress secretary Angad Dutta
- Councillor Sherry Chadha
Senior BJP leader and former minister Manoranjan Kalia was also taken to the police station but was not named in the FIR. In a show of solidarity, he refused to leave when offered the chance, choosing to remain with the other detained leaders.
Background of the Hotel Demolition Controversy
The case was registered based on the complaint of a Municipal Corporation (MC) official. According to the complaint, officials were demolishing an "illegally constructed" part of the hotel after a local court vacated a stay order that had previously halted the action.
The FIR alleges that protesters actively blocked officials and machinery from carrying out the demolition, leading to charges of obstruction. This incident has sparked significant political tension in the region.
Legal Proceedings and Political Reactions
All arrested leaders were produced in a local court on Wednesday. After arguments by their counsel, they were granted bail in the afternoon, allowing them to be released.
Meanwhile, political demonstrations continued outside the court complex. Punjab BJP president Ashwani Sharma led a protest near the premises, with BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh also arriving to show support for the detained leaders.
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar strongly criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, accusing it of suppressing dissent and targeting media entities. BJP leaders have claimed that this police action reflects the government's unease following a recent rally by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Moga, suggesting a political motive behind the arrests.
The situation remains tense as both parties continue to exchange accusations, with the hotel demolition serving as a flashpoint for broader political conflicts in Punjab.
