Hindu leader Ekbote held over Jan 1 Bhima Koregaon violence

PUNE: Samasta Hindu Aghadi leader Milind Ekbote, a suspect in the Bhima Koregaon violence, was arrested by the Pune rural police Wednesday, minutes after the Supreme Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea.

One person was killed in the clash that broke out on January 1 when a large group of Dalits gathered at the Maharashtra village to celebrate the bicentenary of the Battle of Koregaon. Violent protests erupted in various parts of the state after the incident.

“We have detained him. He is likely to be arrested soon,” said Pune rural police’s public relation officer. When contacted, Suvez Haque, superintendent of Pune rural police said, a detailed press note will be issued by evening over the arrest.

Following the clash, police booked several people including Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide of Shiv Pratisthan, accusing them of stoking the violence.

A case was registered against Bhide and Ekbote at Shikrapur police station under section 307 (attempted murder) and others of the IPC and of the Arms Act.

After the case was filed, Ekbote had approached the court seeking anticipatory bail. The court on Wednesday rejected the bail plea after state government submitted a probe report in the case.

POLICE BOOKED SEVERAL PEOPLE, INCLUDING EKBOTE, ACCUSING THEM OF STOKING THE VIOLENCE