Congress MLA Devendra Yadav Arrested in Connection with Baloda Bazaar Violence, Sent to Judicial Custody

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬

Raipur
Congress MLA Devendra Yadav was arrested on Saturday night in connection with Baloda Bazaar violence incident. He was apprehended from his residence in Bhilai. The police presented him before the Baloda Bazaar court, which sent him to judicial custody for three days.

Late at night, the police brought Congress MLA Devendra Yadav to Raipur Central Jail. He was holding a copy of the Constitution in his hand, which he displayed continuously. A large number of his supporters were present during this time. There was a scuffle between the police and the supporters. Meanwhile, Bhupesh Baghel posted on social media, saying, “A strong response will come.”
Following the arrival of Deepak Baij, Arun Vora, and several other leaders at the residence of Yadav, discussions continued with the police officers for about 2-3 hours. Later in the evening, additional police forces were called in. Before his arrest, Devendra Yadav was seen holding a white flag and the Constitution, chanting, “We will fight.”
Eventually, the police arrested Devendra Yadav from his residence. During this time, there was a clash between the workers and the police, but the police team proceeded to Baloda Bazaar with the MLA.

After the arrest, Devendra Yadav was taken to the police station. Later, at 10 PM, the police brought MLA Devendra Yadav to present him in the CJM court. During this time, tight security arrangements were made in front of the District and Sessions Court and the police control room. Around two to three thousand Congress workers continued to protest against the action throughout the night.

The police sought judicial remand from the court, which was granted. MLA Yadav was transferred to Raipur jail on judicial remand. He will be presented in court again after three days.
An FIR was registered on June 10 regarding an arson incident, and it was under this FIR that MLA Devendra Yadav was arrested. He was presented before the court, which sent him to judicial custody until August 20.
May 15: A religious symbol, Jaitkham, at Baghin Cave near Manakoni settlement, 5 km from the religious site Giroudpuri Dham of the Satnami community, was damaged late at night.
May 16: People discovered the incident in the morning and protested, demanding action at the scene.
May 17: The police registered a case.
May 19: The community members staged a blockade in Manakoni settlement, demanding the arrest of the accused. Community leader and former minister Rudra Kumar demanded action, while Guru Khushwant Sahib reminded of the protests during the Congress government.
May 19: The police arrested three accused from Bihar. During questioning, it was revealed that the contractor had not paid them for the water supply work, so they committed vandalism under the influence of alcohol.
May 20: A community meeting was held, stating that the wrong people had been arrested. They demanded the arrest of the real culprits and prepared for a movement.
May 21: The community submitted a memorandum to the police and administration, demanding the arrest of the culprits. Since then, community members have continued to submit applications demanding investigation and action.
June 8: The Collector convened a peace committee meeting with administrative officers, police officers, and community members, appealing to avoid protests and promising to expedite the investigation.
June 9: Deputy CM and Home Minister Vijay Sharma ordered a judicial inquiry. On the same day, the community was granted permission to hold a one-day protest on June 10th at Dussehra Ground near the Collectorate.
June 10: During this protest, the crowd suddenly became agitated, leading to widespread violence. The SP office was set on fire, and several vehicles were torched.
June 10: Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai convened a high-level meeting and ordered the arrest of the rioters. Seven different FIRs were registered. 73 accused were arrested, and 200 were detained. 12 police teams were formed to search for the rioters, and a team of 22 police officers was assembled for the investigation.
June 11: By the evening, the police arrested over 100 accused. Several raids were conducted. CM Vishnudev Sai expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the situation. IAS Deepak Soni was appointed as the new Collector, and Vijay Agarwal as the new SP. The previous Collector, KL Chauhan, was transferred to the ministry as a special secretary, and SP Sadanand Kumar was moved to police headquarters.
June 12: Former Minister Guru Rudra Kumar reached the police station to surrender, warning of defamation cases if ministers did not apologize.
June 13: A 7-member Congress investigation team visited the site and offered prayers at the religious site. The team coordinator and former Minister Dr. Shiv Kumar Dahariya noted that there was no FIR registered when the Jaitkham was damaged.
June 15: Bhim Regiment’s Raipur Division President Jivrakhan Bandhe was arrested from Jagdalpur, and sources indicated that State Vice President Umesh Sonwani was also apprehended from Raipur.
June 17: The administration extended Section 144 in the district until June 20th.
June 18: Congress held a state-level protest.
June 21: One accused was arrested for hoisting a white flag on the pole where the tricolor was flown outside the Collectorate during the violence. Section 144 in the city was limited to the district office on June 21st.
June 25: Seven more accused were arrested.
June 29: Bhim Army’s State Vice President Dinesh Azad, State General Secretary Ram Swaroop Mahilang, and another accused were arrested.
July 6: Youth Congress District President Shailendra Banjare and Praveen Mahilang were arrested by the police.
July 7: Bhim Army’s former District President Omprakash Banjare was arrested in Janjgir-Champa.
July 15: Four more people, including Mohan Banjare, who planned the violence, were arrested, bringing the total to 163 arrests.
August 16: Congress councilor Pankaj aka Goldie Maraiya was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the Balodabazar violence case. This was the first arrest of a public representative in connection with the arson incident.