Priyanka Gandhi Detained, Later Allowed To Meet Family Of UP Man Who Allegedly Died In Police Custody

Priyanka Gandhi expressed anger on regulating her movement in the state and demanded justice for the victim's family.

Congress General Secreatry Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on her way to meet the family of Arun Valmiki, who allegedly died in police custody, in Agra, Wednesday, Oct 20, 2021. (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: Congress General Secretary and senior leader Priyanka Gandhi has been detained on Wednesday as she was on her way to Agra to meet the family of a sanitation worker who allegedly died in police custody.

However, she was later allowed to proceed, but only with four people.

The police allowed Priyanka Gandhi to go and she has left for Agra in the evening, Congress spokesperson Anshu Awasthi said.

The Lucknow police has allowed four people, including UPCC president Ajay Kumar Lallu and senior leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam, to accompany Priyanka Gandhi, Awasthi said.

"Section 144 has been imposed in Lucknow and Priyanka Gandhi is being taken to Police Lines. She will not be allowed to proceed to Agra," UP Police said.

Earlier, Priyanka Gandhi was stopped at the first toll plaza on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway and then later detained by UP Police. Reports suggest that Congress workers clashed with the police at the entry point of the expressway.

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Congress leader hit out at the Uttar Pradesh government as she was prevented from travelling to Agra.

While talking to ABP News, Priyanka Gandhi said, “I want to go to Agra to share the grief of the family members of the victim. After all, why is the government afraid of the movement of the leaders of the Opposition."

"The moment I try to visit any place other than the party office, then they (Administration) try to stop me...It is also causing inconvenience to the public," she added.

 

Later in a tweet, she said expressed anger on regulating her movement in the state and demanded justice for the victim's family.

 

"Arun Valmiki died in police custody. His family is seeking justice. I want to visit that family. What is the UP government afraid of? Why am I being stopped? Today is Lord Valmiki Jayanti... PM Modi spoke big on Buddha but this is attacking his message," she tweeted in Hindi.

"Do I need somebody's permission whenever I move out of Lucknow? Is there a problem why I am not being allowed to go to Agra, is there a law and order issue," she asked policemen who stopped her cavalcade."

"They say I can't go to Agra. They stop me wherever I go. Should I keep sitting in restaurants? Just because it is politically convenient for them? I want to meet them, what is the big deal?" she added.

This time she was looking to meet the family of Arun Valmiki, who was accused of stealing Rs 25 lakh. He died in police custody after his health deteriorated during interrogation.

"Someone has died, how can it be a law and order issue? Ask the DM by calling him. It is too much that I cannot go out anywhere and should remain confined in a guest house in Lucknow," she told policemen when they showed her the message from the Agra district magistrate.

Senior Superintendent of Police (Agra) Muniraj G informed that the accused, Arun, suddenly fell sick on Tuesday night while a raid was being carried out at his house to recover the stolen money. He was taken to a hospital where doctors declared him dead, he added.

Meanwhile, the police on Wednesday said their officers are in contact with his family and assured that action will be initiated if any negligence is found.

"They're cooperating. Action will be taken if there was any negligence. The family has filed a complaint, they suspect that he was beaten up by Police following which he died. FIR registered, matter it will be probed," said ADG Agra, Rajiv Krishna. 

(With inputs from PTI)