DK Shivakumar Arrest: Protests Erupt In Karnataka As Demonstrators Block Road By Burning Tyres

As a precautionary measure the district administration has declared holiday to schools and colleges on Wednesday

Earlier, a supporter of Congress leader DK Shivakumar was dragged away by police personnel outside RML Hospital, where the leader has been taken for medical tests, in New Delhi./ PTI IMAGE

Bengaluru: Protests broke out in several parts of Karnataka on Wednesday following the arrest of senior Congress leader D K Shivakumar in connection with a money laundering case. Demonstrations and attempts to block roads by burning tires were reported from Ramanagara, Chennapattana and few neighboring towns. Here a bandh has been called by Shivakumar's supporters. Shivakumar's Kanakapura assembly constituency falls under Ramanagara district. As a precautionary measure the district administration has declared holiday to schools and colleges on Wednesday. Incidents of stone-pelting on government buses was reported at Kanakapura last night following the Congress leader's arrest. Shivakumar, the Congress troubleshooter from the state was arrested under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after he had appeared before the Enforcement. The Senior Congress leader's health deteriorated after being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday night.  He was admitted to RML Hospital at 11 pm on Tuesday after complaining of chest pain. Medical examination revealed that his blood pressure had shot up. The arrested leader and former minister in Karnataka cabinet, will be produced by the ED before a Delhi court on Wednesday, where the ED is likely to demand the Congress leader’s custody for interrogation. Shivakumar was arrested under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after he had appeared before the Enforcement Directorate for questioning for the fourth time on Tuesday at its headquarters in Delhi. The arrest of Shivakumar by the ED has drawn condemnation from opposition leaders in the state with former chief ministers Siddaramaiah and H D Kumaraswamyaccusing the BJP of using central agencies to "oppress voices of dissent". On his part, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has said law will take its own course and that he would be more happy than everyone if the former minister comes clear of the charges. (agency inputs) ALSO WATCH: First Chidambaram, now Shivakumar arrested; Congress cries foul