UP Govt. orders CB-CID probe into Joshi's house arson case

Lucknow/Ghaziabad, July 19 (ANI): The Uttar Pradesh Government on Sunday ordered a Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) into ransacking and arson at Uttar Pradesh Congress unit chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi house.

"CB-CID would investigate the case," said state Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh.

Meanwhile, Joshi demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.

"I demand a CBI probe into the incident that occurred at my house in Lucknow. The party has also demanded it because it is a state-sponsored crime," Joshi said.

"The police burned down my house. It is for sure that this involved government hand with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's consent. I have no hope of justice from the Uttar Pradesh Government," she added.

Joshi, who is expected to meet Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi and party general secretary Rahul Gandhi, said: "The party is extremely concerned about my safety. They were extremely agitated about the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh."

Joshi was released from a Moradabad jail on Saturday. She had made some derogatory remarks against Mayawati at a public meeting, and was arrested in Ghaziabad on Wednesday night while she was on her way to Delhi.

She was booked under 153 A (delivering inflammatory speeches) and Section 109 of IPC (using abusive language) besides under provisions of SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act. (ANI)