Uttar Pradesh government orders early release of Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar

The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday ordered an early release of Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar, who has been detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in connection with the 2017 Saharanpur violence. Chandrashekhar would be released on November 1, 2018.

Chandrashekhar also known as Ravan, was arrested in June 2017 for his alleged involvement with the May 5 clashes in which one person was killed and 16 others were injured at Shabbirpur village in Saharanpur.

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On November 2, 2017, the Allahabad High Court had granted bail to Chandrashekhar. However, a day before his release, he was booked under the NSA, thus preventing his release.

“After going through the representation of Chandrashekhar’s mother, it has been decided to release him early. He had to be in jail till November 1,” a spokesperson of the Home Department said on Thursday

The spokesperson said that two close aides of Chadrashekhar Sonu and Shiv Kumar would also be released early, adding that the district magistrate of Saharanpur had been directed “to release them”.

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The government had booked six people under the NSA in 2017. While three people were released earlier, Chandrashekhar, Sonu and Shiv Kumar are still in jail.

(With PTI inputs)