BJP MLA Madhu Srivastava arrested under Arms Act

Vadodara, Mar 23 (UNI) Controversial Gujarat BJP MLA Madhu Srivastava was today arrested by the Vadodara Crime Branch police for indiscriminately firing in the air while celebrating Holi with his supporters near Baroda Dairy here yesterday.

Four-time MLA from Waghodia constituency in the district, Mr Srivastava, who is also the chairman of the Baroda Diary, was arrested by the city Detection of Crime Branch sleuths headed by inspector Kaushik Pandya from his Waghodia residence this evening.

Police also seized his licenced revolver and a sword which he carried with him yesterday during the Holi revelry and reportedly fired six rounds in the air while leading 200-odd slogan shouting Holi revelers on a horseback near the Baroda dairy located at Makarpura road.

Taking suo motu cognizance of some local news channel reports about the incident, Makarpura police inspector R K Laskari today registered a criminal offence against the MLA under section 135 of the Bombay Police Act and section 30 of the Arms Act for violating the city police commissioner's prohibitory orders issued in view of Holi festival.

Soon after his arrest, the legislator was brough to the DCB police station and enlarged on bail after he recorded his ''confessional'' statement in connection with the incident, inspector Pandya said.

Earlier, reacting to the police action against him, Srivastava who allegedly coerced and bribed Vadodara Best Bakery carnage prime witness Zaheera Shiekh to turn hostile during the trial, denied having committed any criminal offence by opening fire in the air.

''I fired six rounds in the air from my licenced revolver only to celebrate the Holi revelry with my friends, and have not violated any law of the land,'' Srivastava said adding that he was prepared to face any inquiry in this connection.

The MLA could be imprisoned for a period of three months, if he was found guilty under the Arms Act, Mr Pandya said.

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