CAA Protests: Bhim Army Chief Taken Into Police Custody Overnight

Earlier on Friday, Bhim Army’s Chandrashekhar Azad had led a protest near Jama Masjid.

Footwears of protesters lie on the ground during a rally against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act at Daryanganj in New Delhi on 20 December. 

(Photo: PTI)

Violence erupted at Delhi’s Daryaganj on Friday, 20 December, as a car was set on fire and police resorted to using water cannons at protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Bhim Army chief, Chandrashekhar Azad, who was at a protest at Jama Masjid, was also taken into custody on the intervening night of 20 December – 21 December.

The Delhi police has detained about 40 people in connection with the violent protest in the area, including minors, most of whom were released overnight.

The CMM Central however has called the detention of minors as ‘flagrant violation of law’ and has signed an order directing the release of the minors immediately.

Police, however, has denied baton-charging the protesters and using tear gas, saying it used "mild force" and water cannon. The police also said many of their personnel were also injured in the incident.

The national capital remained heavily barricaded but prohibitory orders and closure of several metro stations could not stop thousands from rallying near Jama Masjid area earlier on Friday.

Catch all the live updates on the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act here.

Bhim Army Chief ‘Evades’ Police

Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad led the protest at Jama Masjid, despite being denied permission to hold a march. Giving the police a slip from being detained, he raised slogans and read out the preamble of Indian Constitution.

Leading the anti-CAA protest march from Jama Masjid, Azad said the protest was to safeguard the Constitution.

“The desire for revolution is in our hearts, we shall see how much strength lies in the arms of the enemy. Hail the Constitution,” Azad had tweeted in Hindi.

Bhim Army claimed Azad was “caught” by the police but escaped near Daryaganj during the protest. However, there was no official confirmation from the police, PTI reported.

According to Bhim Army, the police tried to escort Azad away from Jama Masjid but he managed to get away. However, he was later “caught” near Daryaganj but escaped from there, they said.

Bhim Army Chief Azad had given the call for the protest march from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar.(Photo: Asmita Nandy/The Quint)

Metro Stations Closed, Drones Deployed

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on Friday had closed 17 stations, including the busy Rajiv Chowk, to restrict the movement of those protesting against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act in the national capital.

The police were also seen using drones to keep a vigil on the law and order situation.

(With inputs from PTI.)