Maulvi’s arrest new poll headache for Laloo

However, in the evening, after the maulvi’s arrest and subsequent protests, Judge R S Garg—who police said had issued the arrest order—denied any such move and even sought a transfer, concerned over his safety.

Earlier, police said the High Court had pulled up some of their top officers, asking them to arrest those responsible for violating its order regarding the use of loudspeakers.

Thereafter, a police team reached the mosque and picked up the maulvi and three others in this connection. They were also produced before court, which fixed February 28 as the next date of hearing.

But soon, the arrests triggered protests here with Muslims staging a dharna before the Kotwali police station, demanding immediate release of their religious leader. The protestors also alleged that police had manhandled the maulvi.

But then, Justice R S Garg spoke to a section of the media and denied that hehad given any order to arrest the maulvi, adding that he was being defamed through a conspiracy. The Judge then declared that he would now seek a transfer, saying it was not possible for him to work here under the present circumstances.