Kolkata Police arrested BJP leader Rakesh Singh during a midnight raid at a private residence in the city’s Tangra area, officials said on Wednesday.
Singh had been on the run for five days after being booked for allegedly vandalising the gate of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress office. Police said he repeatedly evaded raids on his registered residence, instead releasing video messages on social media attacking the force.
“Based on secret source information, we conducted a raid around 2 am at a residential building in Tangra. Rakesh Singh was found hiding there and placed under arrest,” a senior officer said.
Days earlier, Singh’s son, Suvam Singh, was arrested for allegedly helping his father flee and providing logistical support. Following that arrest, Singh had directly threatened Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma in a video message, officials said.
After his arrest, Singh was taken to a hospital for medical examination. He is expected to be produced before Sealdah court on Wednesday morning.
A few BJP leaders led by Rakesh Singh allegedly carried out a protest and vandalism at Bidhan Bhawan, the headquarters of West Bengal Pradesh congress committee in Kolkata after the incident insulting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Patna last week.
Following the violent protests, a complaint was registered at Entally police station against Rakesh Singh and his followers.
Kolkata Police have registered an FIR against BJP leader Rakesh Singh and others under section 25, 27 of arms act, 2 of PREVENTION OF INSULTS TO NATIONAL HONOUR Act, 109. 115 (2), 118(1), 226(2), 3(5), 324(2), 326, 329(4), 351, 79 of BNS.
Three BJP supporters and a close aide of Rakesh Singh were arrested by police earlier, but Rakesh Singh has been on the run since the FIR was registered against him.
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