Six activists including former civil servant Arvind Kejriwal of the India Against Corruption movement were released on Sunday by the Delhi police after an hour of detention for allegedly violating prohibitory orders.
Kejriwal and his supporters were taken into custody for protesting the Coalgate issue near the residences of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and BJP president Nitin Gadkari. All the activists were released shortly after their detention.
The IAC activists were later given permission to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar.
"Kejriwal and others have been released by Delhi Police to continue protest at Jantar Mantar. They were detained a few hours back while protesting outside the residence of Prime Minister. Delhi Metro will also function as usual. Six metro stations that were to be closed today from 10 am - 6 pm today will remain open," IAC said in a Statement.
Kejriwal led the protest despite the police warning that the 'gherao' at the homes of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Nidhin Gadkari would invite legal action as their residences fall under the section 144CrPC.
Soon after his release from custody, Kejriwal said that the activists would gather at Jantar Mantar and march towards the Prime Minister's and Gadkari's house later in the day. He said that the activists would gherao again, saying that they want to send a message to the Congress and the BJP.
Kejriwal pointed out at the Raj Thackeray's recent rally in Mumbai and raised questions on Thackeray and his supporters being given police protection, despite leading a rally without proper permission.
"The Congress and the BJP hold so many protests. They are never stopped. Raj Thackeray takes a rally without police permission, thousands attend, but he is not stopped. He is in fact given police protection. Why are we being stopped from holding a peaceful protest," Kejriwal said according to NDTV.
