Punjab police grills Delhi AAP legislator in Quran desecration case

The Punjab Police questioned Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator from Delhi Naresh Yadav for over five hours on Saturday in connection with the Quran desecration incident of last month.

Yadav, accompanied by Punjab AAP convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur, Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann and other AAP leaders and supporters reached the Punjab Police CIA (Crime Investigation Agency) office complex here, 130 km from Chandigarh, on Saturday amid tight security.

The AAP legislator was questioned by senior police officers for over five hours, a police officer said.

The AAP lawmaker from Delhi's Mehrauli assembly seat has been booked by the Punjab Police as a mastermind in the Quran sacrilege conspiracy following revelations made by one of the accused arrested in the case.

Yadav told media before joining the probe that he had nothing to do with the incident.

"I am joining the Punjab Police investigation. I am here to answer all questions," he said while accusing the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal of framing him in the case.

Yadav was booked by Punjab Police in the desecration case after main accused Vijay Kumar claimed he was paid Rs 1 crore by Yadav to do so.

Sangrur police had arrested Vijay Kumar, Gaurav and Nand Kishore on charge of desecration of the Quran and said they belonged to right-wing Hindu organisation VHP.

There was arson in Muslim-dominated Malerkotla on June 24 night after pages of the holy book were found dumped near a drain. Several vehicles were set on fire and other property was damaged as the situation remained tense in the town on June 25. The mob also exchanged gunfire with police, leaving several injured.

A mob attacked and set Akali Dal MLA Farzana Alam's home on fire leading to communal tension.

--IANS

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