Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik and some Khap leaders held a protest at RK Puram Police Station in Delhi on Saturday.
Malik and others held a protest after not being allowed to hold a meeting at a south Delhi park as they lacked requisite permission, according to officials, who rejected reports that he was detained.
As photos of Malik in the police station were shared online, some wrote that he had been arrested. Notably, these false reports of arrest emerged a day after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) summoned Malik in in connection with an alleged insurance scam in J&K where he previously served as the Governor.
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Questioning the police action, Malik said he and his supporters had gone to the R K Puram Police Station to protest as he was stopped from giving food to Khap leaders at the park. According to police, they all left the police station around 2.30 pm.
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Gurnam Singh Charuni too claimed that khap pradhans and Malik were “arrested” in R K Puram.
"Like I had apprehended yesterday, because of the statements that he has given in favour of the farmers, the BJP might, given its nature, go after Satyapal Malik ji and soon he got CBI summons,” Charuni added.
However, Delhi Police said that Malik was not arrested.
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"False information is being spread on social media handles regarding detention of Sh. Satyapal Malik, Ex. Gov. Whereas, he himself has arrived at P.S. R K Puram along with his supporters. He has been informed that he is at liberty to leave at his own will," said Delhi Police in a tweet.
What we know so far
Senior Haryana-based farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni said the meeting was called by Malik and a group of khap leaders, but nobody was scheduled to speak at the venue.
"Where is violation of rules in this?" Chaduni asked.
The meeting was scheduled to be held at the MCD park in R K Puram and Malik was supposed to take part, a police officer said.
The officer said Malik was informed this was not a place to hold a meeting and also that he has not taken a permission from the authorities concerned.
After that he and his supporters left the place and arrived at the R K Puram police station, the officer added.
The Delhi Police issued a statement, saying he had gone to the police station "of his own volition", refuting reports that Malik had been detained.
"We have not detained former governor Satya Pal Malik. He came on his own volition, along with his supporters, to the R K Puram police station and we have informed him that he can leave at his own will," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Manoj C said in a statement.
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Speaking to the mediapersons before going to the police station, Malik said he wanted to give food to the Khap leaders who were at the park.
"I don't have much space in my house, so I decided to give them food here (at the park). They (police) have orders from somewhere not to allow the gathering and let me give them the food. I told them 'arrest me and I am coming with you'."
When asked what the police told him, he said, "(they said) will not allow."
Why should we go to an alternative place? We will go to the police station and offer a satyagrah there...I am going to R K Puram police station and I will protest there," he said.
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Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni told PTI, "I fail to understand why we were not allowed by police to hold the meeting as there was no scheduled speech of any farmer leaders there. Malik ji wanted to serve food to farmer leaders at the park. Where is violation of rules in this."
(With PTI inputs)
