Watch: AAP bigwigs’ silence over MLA Amanatullah’s arrest draws flak, local markets shut
Though celebrations have begun in Okhla after reports surfaced of MLA Amanatullah Khan, arrested on Thursday from Kanchan Kunj, being granted bail by the court on Friday, markets in several areas of the area remained shut after Khan’s wife had appealed to Okhlaliites to keep shops closed from 9 am to 5 pm in solidarity with the arrested MLA.
Khan was arrested by the Delhi police on charges of “rioting and obstructing public servants from discharging their duty” after he went on the spot to express his displeasure with the authorities over anti-encroachment drive.
Illegal structures were demolished in the locality.
The court granted the bail on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of like amount, after hearing the submission of counsel for the accused and Delhi Police.
Besides, many opposition leaders in Okhla and some residents were taken aback as there was no public comment from AAP bigwigs over his arrest. Okhla Congress leader Aarfa Khanam did a FB live in which she spoke about the silence of AAP bigwigs over arrest of Khan.
Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh this morning called the AAP’s silence on the arrest “astonishing”, reported NDTV.
The anti-encroachment drive sparked protests and pelting of stones in the Madanpur Khadar area where the locals claimed that legal structures were bulldozed, reported NDTV.
On Thursday, Khan told ANI before his arrest: “I am ready to go to jail if it saves the houses of poor people. There is no encroachment here. I will support them (civic body) in demolition if there is any encroachment.”
Esha Pandey, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) said: “An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Amanatullah Khan along with five other supporters have been arrested for rioting and obstructing public servants in discharging of their duty.”
