LUCKNOW, Sept 20: BJP lawmaker from Thana Bhawan Suresh Rana, accused of inciting communal violence in Muzaffarnagar, was arrested here on Friday.

He was arrested after the state assembly session was adjourned sine die. Rana was present in the assembly and was given a chance to present his defence on the floor of the house.

Later, while talking to reporters he dared the government to arrest him and punish if found guilty.

Rana was arrested from Gomtinagar area soon after he left the state assembly in the evening.

BJP condemned the arrest pointing out that no action had been taken against the accused leaders of other political parties including ruling Samajwadi Party.

Other BJP legislators accused in the case are Hukum Singh, Sangeet Singh Som and Kunwar Bhartendu Singh. Police said that raids were being conducted in search of the other accused.

Non-bailable arrest warrants were issued against 20 people including several politicians by two local courts in Muzaffarnagar on Wednesday. Besides three BJP MLAs, warrants were issued against BSP MP Kadir Rana, BSP MLAs Noor Salim Rana and Maulvi Jamil and former Congress MP Sayeed-uz-Zaman.

Earlier, MLAs of the ruling Samajwadi Party and BJP came to blows in the assembly. The house was adjourned for 25 minutes after BJP raised a storm in response to senior minister Ambika Chaudhry’s remarks against a party member.

BJP and SP members, including several ministers, indulged in a free-for-all in the well of the house.

The problem started after question hour when Suresh Rana was given a chance to present a clarification on the floor of the house. Rana said he came to know about the FIR against him through the media and asked the government to examine the CD of the speech.

Rana said he was ready to face punishment if proved guilty and made a reference to involvement of some ruling party members, causing SP leaders to shout him down.

By arrangement with the Times of India