Shashwat claims innocence, demands high level probe

Arijit Shashwat, son of Union minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey and an accused in a case of communal clashes, today claimed he was implicated in a false case and demanded that the state government initiate a high level probe into the matter.

Shashwat and eight others were named in a case related to the communal clashes in Bhagalpur on March 17. He was arrested on April 1 and secured bail on April 9.

"A fabricated case has been made against me. I am an innocent person. No one involved in firing and bombing were arrested," he told reporters.

Shashwat said he would try to meet Chief Minister Nitish Kumar tomorrow to know what action has been taken on the letter which he had written to him on March 22.

In the letter, he had demanded a high level probe to find out those who gave communal colour to the incident which was a clash between some individuals.

"It was RJD and Congress workers who started stone pelting and tried to vitiate the atmosphere by trying to create communal tension in the district," he alleged.

A section of the police and civil officials also wanted to tarnish the image of the BJP-JD(U) government, Shashwat said.

Asked whether he had the permission to take out the procession on March 17, he said he had the acknowledgement letter of the application for the same and senior police officials were escorting the procession.

Shashwat claimed that he came to know about clashes from DIG, Bhagalpur range, Vikas Vaibhav who called him up to inquire about his well being.