BJP leader Rakesh Singh was arrested by Kolkata Police late Tuesday night in connection with the vandalism at the Pradesh Congress headquarters, Bidhan Bhavan, in central Kolkata. Singh, who had been absconding for several days, was caught during a police raid at a flat in Tangra around 2 am, sources said.
The incident traces back to last week, when a controversy erupted after a video from Rahul Gandhi’s voter rights march in Bihar went viral. In the clip, derogatory remarks were allegedly made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s late mother.
The remark sparked outrage within the BJP, prompting Singh to lead a protest outside Bidhan Bhavan in Kolkata. The demonstration escalated into violence, with the Congress accusing BJP supporters of vandalising its office and blackening Rahul Gandhi’s picture.
A case was subsequently registered against Singh and his followers at Entali police station under multiple sections. Police initially arrested three BJP workers and one of Singh’s associates. However, the senior leader managed to evade capture, frequently releasing videos on social media to mislead investigators.
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The pressure mounted further on Monday when Singh’s son, Shivam Singh, was taken into custody for allegedly assisting his father in hiding. While the BJP accused the police of deliberately delaying the arrest, Congress leaders kept up demands for immediate action.
After five days on the run, Singh was finally apprehended. As he was escorted into a police vehicle, the BJP leader defiantly raised slogans in support of Prime Minister Modi, declaring, “Rakesh Singh is not afraid.”
Police officials have stated that Singh will be produced before the court and further investigation into the vandalism case is underway.
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