Rahul Gandhi, leading protest over CBI row, detained in Delhi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi and other party leaders, protesting in front of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters, were arrested, party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala informed on Twitter.

"Congress President, Rahul Gandhi & other leaders arrested," Surjewala tweeted.

Rahul, along with party leaders and a massive crowd, was protesting against what they termed as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's interference in the investigating agency's functioning.

The government recently sent the CBI chief Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana on leave after both trade bribery charges against each other.

The Congress party chief, in a tweet, said that "CBI Chief Alok Verma was collecting documents relating to the Rafale scam. He was forcibly sent on leave".

Several party workers, during the Friday's protest, marched with their president on a road to CBI headquarters in central Delhi's Lodhi Road area. Protestors raised slogans and placards as their party president sat atop a crowded truck amidst tight security. A supporter sat inside a cage with a placard that read CBI.

The Congress party has called for nationwide protests outside the offices of CBI.

The Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee chief Raj Babbar, who was leading a protest in Lucknow, has also been detained. Police had to use water cannon at protestors in Chandigarh.