Kejriwal arrested for anti-Khurshid protest

The activist had accused the minister of alleged misappropriation of funds taken from the govt for his NGO

The indefinite protest that was kickstarted today demanding the arrest of Salman Khurshid in a misappropriations case ended in the arrest of activist Arvind Kejriwal and his associate Manish Sisodia.

The activists who were dismissed as "guttersnipes" Thursday by Law Minister Salman Khurshid for their allegations against his wife's NGO said they would continue to protest till Khurshid was arrested. The protest began in the morning initiated by some disability groups led by Bharatiya Viklang Party and backed by Kejriwal and his India Against Corruption activists.

Clambering on top of a truck making it his make shift stage he took out what he said was evidence against Khurshid and his wife that they had embezzled lakhs of rupees meant for charity work for the disabled in 17 districts of Uttar Pradesh.

We want to ask for an inquiry into this and filing of a case immediately by the Government or the minister would tamper with evidence, Kejriwal said.

However shortly after the activist and the disabled people began their walk towards the residence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at 7 Race Course Road, police stopped them and they sat down in the middle of the street, determined not to go till they are given a hearing. They were told that the Prime Minister's engagements did not allow him to meet the activists today.

However by later afternoon, the police which was patiently watching in the sun the slogan shouting activists, got into action and removed the activists for detention.

IAC spokesperson said that Kejriwal, Sisodia and many others were in detention.

Kejriwal earlier said that grants worth Rs 71 lakh given to his NGO by Social Justice Ministry were found to have not been used for organising camps for distribution of crutches and other aids for the disabled for which the funds were given.

The funds were given for holding such camps in 17 districts but in 10 out of 17 districts, the State Government in Uttar Pradesh in an inquiry found that no district official had given their approval and their signs were forged.

He said the trust received grants from various ministries and the use of funds in all the cases should be looked into.
A Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment official when contacted refused to comment on the matter.