Bengaluru Riots: Key Accused & Ex-Congress Mayor R Sampath Raj Arrested After Weeks On The Run

Sampath Raj was absconding from a hospital over last one month where he was admitted after he was tested Covid-19 positive.

(Photo by Manjunath Kiran / AFP)

New Delhi: Congress leader R Sampath Raj, the key accused in the Bengaluru riots case, who was wanted by police, has been arrested on Tuesday, close on the heels of the arrest of his close aide on Monday by the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch. Sampath Raj was absconding from a hospital over last one month where he was admitted after he was tested Covid-19 positive.  His escape from the hospital had raised many eyebrows as he was admitted to the hospital after his name was mentioned in the charge-sheet filed by police in local court naming him one of the conspirators in the riots. Raj's close aide Riyazuddin was arrested on Monday, for sheltering him and one more Congress leader Zakir who is still absconding. On August 11, violent protests erupted across Bengaluru after Pulikeshi Nagar Congress MLA Akhanda Srinvasa Murhty's nephew Naveen Kumar, posted a controversial post on his Facebook timeline. Kumar is out on bail now. Following the post, an irate mob approached K.G. Halli police and D.J. Police to initiate action against Naveen. The mob indulged in arson and looting after the police reportedly did not take any immediate action. In a bid to control the angry people, the people had to open fire killing four persons on August 11. Prior to police opening fire, the mob had set MLA's house on fire besides torching several vehicles parked in K.G. Halli and D.J. Halli police stations. (Inputs from IANS)