Delhi Police politically prosecuting me: Vijay Jolly

A day after giving a clarification on his black paint protest outside the residence of former Tehelka managing editor Shoma Chaudhury, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Jolly said Saturday that police in Delhi were politically prosecuting and persecuting him at the behest of the ruling Congress Party.

"They (Delhi Police) are using the tactics of pressurizing me. I believe that it is a case of political prosecution by Delhi Police under instructions from the Congress. It is a conspiracy to keep me away from the election (December 4 state assembly polls). I totally condemn this," said Jolly.

"I am not accused of any henious crime that they should pressuris me like this. Keeping me confined to the police station is not right. It is politically-motivated prosecution by the Delhi Police," he added.

On Friday, Jolly accusing the Congress Party and the UPA-II Government of deliberately targetting him in connection with the Tehelka-related sexual assault case.

He claimed he had been interrogated by the police for over six hours at the behest of a central minister for protesting outside Chaudhury's home on Thursday.

"I have been associated with the BJP for 36 years like a disciplined soldier. My protest was against Tehelka and not against a woman journalist. The Congress is targeting me. I am being politically victimized," he said.

"On the direction of a central minister, I have been interrogated for more than six hours," he added.

Late on Thursday, Jolly, who had written "accused" on the nameplate of Chaudhury's home in black ink, said he would offer his 'unqualified apology' if he had hurt somebody's feelings, or affected the dignity and integrity of the saffron outfit.

He further clarified that there was no role of BJP in today's protest.

"But being a member of party, I held this protest against the culprit of rape and sexual assault, Tarun Tejpal and his co-partner Shoma Chaudhury. If I have hurt somebody's feelings, and affected the dignity and integrity of my party, I offer my unqualified apology on the matter. I will present my opinion before the party. I still feel connected with the ideology, discipline and principles of my party," he said.

Earlier, BJP workers led by Jolly protested outside Chaudhury"s residence, demanding her immediate arrest for allegedly trying to cover up the sexual harassment complaint filed against Tejpal by a woman journalist working for the magazine.

Chaudhury dubbed this attack on her house by BJP workers as distressing, and said that she has filed a complaint with the police.

"I have no problem being questioned by anybody, but I think what is problematic is the tone, because it creates that kind of volatile situation. I have complained to National Commission of Women (NCW). I have children and they were terrified. I don't think this is proportionate. I have filed a complaint to the police," she said.

National Commission of Women (NCW) member Shamina Shafiq strongly condemned Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) shocking protest outside Chaudhury's residence, and resorting to vandalism.

"There is a complaint from Shoma Chaudhury that her house has been vandalized. NCW strictly condemns this. Writing 'accused' on her nameplate is very shocking. I have asked the police to give her protection.