Guj VHP leader arrested in anti-govt SMS case

Gandhinagar, Oct 28 (UNI) The Local crime branch today arrested Gujarat's Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Joint Secretary Ashwin Patel for his alleged involvement in the Anti-Modi Government SMS, circulated privately during the last Gujarat Assembly Election in December 2007.

Gujarat VHP Joint General Secretary Rachhod Bharwad told UNI that Mr Patel and his associate Devji Rawat, Sangathan Secretary, were detained by the crime branch officials of Gandhinagar Police yesterday from the VHP headquarters in Paldi area of Ahmedabad.

Mr Bharwad said ''Yesterday evening, the VHP leaders were telephoned by the Crime Branch sleuths to come out of the Headquarters to a take delivery of VHP's materials and when the duo cameout, they were forcibly pushed into Maruti Vans and driven to to Gandhinagar Crime Branch.'' ''Both leaders were questioned and interrogated by the crime branch officials till late this afternoon at the Gandhinagar Crime Branch. Later, Mr Rawat was released but Mr Patel was arrested by the Crime Branch,'' Mr Bharwad said.

He alleged that the VHP condemned the arrest as Mr Patel was not involved in the anti-government SMS racket.

Sangh Parivaar has also criticised the manner in which both the leaders were detained and later Mr Patel arrested, Mr Bharwad said.

UNI MP OBB AKJ BST1957