Arrest of Delhi-based techie sparks protest

The arrest of a Delhi-based software professional, Loknath Bharti, sparked a protest by the Aam Aadmi Party activists here on Monday.

Loknath was arrested after a complaint was filed against him on Saturday by the owner of a paying guest (PG) facility on Haralur Road where  he had been living. According to Rajendra, the complainant, Loknath had quarrelled with Govind, the cook at the PG, and had threatened him with a knife.

Arrested the same day, Loknath was produced before a judge who remanded him in judicial custody at the Central Prisons, Parappana Agrahara. On Sunday, he obtained bail.
The protesters, led by Loknath’s brother Somnath Bharti, an advocate, picketed the HSR Layout police station.

Somanth claimed that his brother had been booked under false charges. The situation turned tense after the protesters exchanged heated words with the police. Several of them were taken into custody and released later.

Somnath has been pleading in a Delhi court the case of protesters arrested over the death of constable Subash Chandra Tomar during protests over the gang-rape of a student in a moving bus in Delhi.

He claimed that his brother was abused at the police station.

Police atrocity alleged

“They committed atrocities against him. The court will take up on Tuesday, a petition seeking bail for protesters who were arrested in connection with the death of the constable in Delhi during a protest held to condemn the recent gang-rape. The police are making me mentally weak by arresting my brother. A few political parties are behind the conspiracy,” he said.

The HSR Layout police termed the allegations baseless. “The Delhi incident and Bangalore incident are two different things,” a police officer handling the case said.

“Loknath was arrested as he threatened a man’s life. Moreover, a complaint was lodged against him by the Airport Police six months ago after he picked a quarrel while heading for an interview with a software firm.” Police added that they did not know Loknath and Somanth were brothers.

Loknath has filed a complaint against some of the staff of the police station and cases have been registered against them, a senior officer said.