Mumbai: Youth Congress leader Akhilesh Yadav arrested for protest outside ED office

A video grab of the protest on Saturday

The MRA Marg police arrested Youth Congress leader Akhilesh Yadav and have booked others for protesting outside and trying to forcibly enter the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office. The incident took place on Saturday, when 15-20 Youth Congress leaders tried to enter the ED office in south Mumbai. "Around 3 pm, 15-20 members of a political party gathered around the ED office. But the office was closed as it was a holiday.

The security guard noticed the crowd and secured the office door with a chain. No permission had been given to the political party and hence an FIR was registered at MRA Marg police station," A senior officer told mid-day.

The Congress has been protesting as party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi's names appeared in the National Herald case. Youth Congress leaders gathered near the ED office as part of the protest. Subsequently, the MRA Marg police arrested Congress youth wing leader Akhilesh Yadav. "We have arrested Yadav while 10 other accused are absconding. We are investigating the matter," an officer said.

However, defence lawyer Ravi Jadhav said no harm had been caused to anyone due to the protest. "The party members had gathered as a mark of protest. Apart from the ED offices, there are many other offices in the complex. The protest didn't harm anyone, hence judicial custody should be granted. Yadav will cooperate with the investigation," Jadhav said in court.

The Esplanade Court sent Yadav to police custody for a day.