Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Azad Detained By Hyderabad Police

The Hyderabad police on Sunday detained Bhim Army Chief Chandra Shekhar Azad when he was on his way to address a public meeting in Hyderabad. The police, which had denied permission for the meeting to protest against Citizenship Amendment Act, took him into custody when he was on his way to Crystal Garden Mehdipatnam to address the meet.

Some supporters of Azad were also detained. He was shifted to Bolaram police station, the police said.

Last week, a Delhi court Azad, accused of giving "inflammatory speeches" during an anti-CAA protest at Jama Masjid in Delhi last month, to visit Delhi for medical reasons and election purposes, while modifying the conditions imposed on him while granting him bail in the case.

It passed the directions on a plea filed by Azad seeking modification of the conditions imposed on him when the court had granted him bail in a case related to violent protests in old Delhi's Daryaganj area on December 20.

The plea said the Bhim Army Chief had an office in the national capital where he held weekly meetings for his social cause.

The court said: "Election is the biggest festival in a democracy. Everybody has the right to participate in it and in fact we call for maximum participation. But while participating in election, the same time the rights of others should not be violated. Democracy cannot be a farce.

"If the (bail) conditions come in the way of Azad's participation in the elections, then conditions imposed on him shall be modified."

It had earlier restrained Azad from visiting Delhi for four weeks and directed him to not hold any 'dharna' till the elections in the national capital, while granting him bail in the case.

The court also slammed the police for opposing Azad's plea on the basis of "apprehensions", and not material evidence, that he posed a threat to law and order situation in the state.