Raipur: Congress MLA Devendra Yadav was arrested by the police from his residence in Durg district, Chhattisgarh, on Saturday. The arrest is linked to the violence that occurred in June in the Balodabazar-Bhatapara district. Yadav, a second-term MLA representing Bhilai Nagar, was taken to Balodabazar, the district headquarters, following his arrest.

Superintendent of Police Vijay Agarwal confirmed that Yadav’s arrest is related to an arson case filed at Kotwali police station concerning the June violence. The charges against him include various sections of the Indian Penal Code. The police had previously summoned Yadav three times to record his statement, but he failed to cooperate, leading to his arrest. Yadav was presented in court and has been remanded to judicial custody until August 20.

The arrest led to a gathering of Yadav's supporters outside his Bhilai Nagar residence, where they protested and chanted slogans. Despite their efforts to obstruct the police, Yadav was taken into custody by late afternoon.

The violence in question occurred on the night of May 15-16 when the 'Jaitakham' or 'Vijay Stambh,' a revered symbol for the Satnami community, was vandalized near Amar Gufa at Girodpuri Dham in Balodabazar-Bhatapara. Following this incident, a protest organized by the Satnami community on June 10 resulted in the burning of a government office and over 150 vehicles in Balodabazar. This led to the imposition of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in the area.

Yadav, along with other Congress leaders, was reportedly involved in a public meeting held during the Satnami Samaj protest at Dussehra Maidan. Following the unrest, around 150 people, including members of the National Student Union of India (NSUI) and Bhim "Regiment," were arrested. Yadav has accused the state government of attempting to frame Congress workers in the arson case and pledged to continue fighting for the community.

Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel criticized Yadav’s arrest as politically motivated and urged the police to act without political influence. He pointed out that no BJP members, including former BJP MLA Sanam Jangde, had been questioned or arrested despite allegations. Baghel argued that Yadav’s arrest was an act of political vendetta and called for a legal review of the situation.

Yadav is also facing charges in cases related to the alleged coal levy scam investigated by the Enforcement Directorate and the state’s Anti-Corruption Bureau/Economic Offenses Wing during the previous Congress administration. The Satnami community, founded by the revered saint Baba Ghasidas, is a significant Scheduled Caste group in Chhattisgarh.

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