Sacked Minister Kapil Mishra was on Thursday detained by the Delhi Police while he was on his way to Zakir Nagar to meet an elderly woman, who he said was the victim of encroachment.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South East) Romil Baaniya confirmed that the former Delhi Minister was detained and later let off as his presence could foster trouble.
Property dispute
Mr. Mishra was detained at Jamia Nagar and then taken to C.R Park before being released later in the day. He said he had come to Jamia Nagar to meet an old woman in Zakir Nagar who was allegedly being threatened by some people over a property dispute. The MLA had announced his visit on social media and said that wanted to “bring justice to the old lady”.
Former Congress MLA Asif Muhammad Khan also expressed solidarity with the woman. Mr. Mishra had accused MLA Amanatullah Khan of protecting those who were trying to encroach the property and a war of words had earlier erupted between the two on twitter.
A senior police officer said that they were apprehensive about a clash following his visit.
Mr. Mishra had come with a bunch of supporters and with Mr. Khan being a local, his supporters gathering at the venue could have meant that a confrontation was on the cards, said the officer.
CCTV footage
Mr. Mishra took to twitter again alleging that there was CCTV footage showing a few men armed with “sophisticated weapons” coming to the woman’s house in a bid to threaten her and that he would continue supporting her, come what may. He also made allegations against Mr. Khan and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Mr. Khan was unavailable for comment. Some days ago, a firing incident was allegedly reported from Zakir Nagar in relation to the same property dispute case. Some local Congress leaders have also alleged that they were thrashed by the goons when they tried to intervene in the incident.