By IANS,
Lucknow : In a surprise move, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Thursday ordered the arrest of two of her Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leaders for their alleged involvement in arson at the private residence here of state Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshi in July 2009.
The Crime Branch of the CID, that was entrusted with the probe into the case, took legislator Jitendra Singh ‘Babloo’ and UP State Ganna Sansthan chairman Intezar Abdi ‘Bobby’ into custody late Thursday night. Babloo was rewarded with the rank of a minister shortly after he shot into infamy for his involvement in the arson.
Disclosing this, Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Brij Lal said that both ruling party leaders have been charged for arson, rioting, assault and attempt to murder.
“While the CID were yet to complete their investigation in the case, the arrest followed availability of vital clues with the investigating agency,” he said.
A bunch of vandals, led by Babloo ransacked the entire house, situated near the chief minister’s office, of the Congress leader July 16, 2009.
They set ablaze four cars parked in the compound, setting a series of blasts each time the fuel tanks caught fire, as well as breaking down doors and windows, spraying petrol on furniture and setting it fire.
The attackers also used iron rods to smash anything that they could lay their hands on.