AAP MLA tries to sit on ‘counter fast’, detained

Sanjeev Jha is protesting allegations against Kejriwal

NEW DELHI, 13/05/2017: AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha at Rajghat prior to protest at Kapil Mishra's residence and commence his hunger strike, where he was detained by Police, in New Delhi on Saturday . Photo: V. Sudershan

The Delhi Police on Saturday detained Aam Admi Party (AAP) MLA Sanjeev Jha when he tried to launch a counter hunger strike outside the residence of sacked AAP Minister Kapil Mishra in protest.

The MLA from Burari had gone to Mahatama Gandhi memorial to “seek blessings” before launching the hunger strike to register his protest against Mr. Mishra after the latter accused Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of bribery.

‘Preventive detention’

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Jatin Narwal told The Hindu that Mr. Jha was detained around 11.45a.m. near the barricades that were put up a few metres away from Mr. Mishra’s house in Civil Lines.

“Mr. Jha had come with a few supporters and wanted to launch a counter hunger strike but was detained under preventive detention of the Delhi Police Act,” Mr. Narwal said.

The police said that the MLA was released four hours after being detained at Sarai Rohilla police station.

Mr. Mishra has been on a hunger strike for the last four days demanding that Mr. Kejriwal reveal the source of money spent on the foreign trips of five AAP leaders, including Ashish Khetan, Satyendar Jain, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadhha and Durgesh Pathak.