Congress MLA Devendra Yadav Jailed on 7-Day Remand Amid Allegations of Deceptive Arrest; Party Plans Statewide Protest

Raipur
Congress MLA Devendra Yadav has been sent to jail under judicial remand for 7 days. On Tuesday, he appeared before the court via video conference. Yadav requested to be provided with the regional newspaper of Durg-Bhilai and to meet with his lawyer daily either in person or via video conferencing, which the judge approved. Yadav was arrested on August 17 in connection with the Baloda Bazaar violence case.
Earlier on Tuesday, former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Leader of the Opposition Dr. Charandas Mahant, and several Congress MLAs visited Central Jail to meet Devendra Yadav. Bhupesh Baghel accused the Sai government of deceptively arresting the MLA. He stated that all the notices received by Yadav were only for giving testimony. In jail, Devendra Yadav informed that he was not given a copy of the FIR, nor was he informed of the crime for which he was arrested.
Along with the former Chief Minister, about 15 Congress MLAs, including Leader of the Opposition Dr. Charandas Mahant, Ravindra Choubey, and Umesh Patel, also visited Central Jail. Several female Congress MLAs also arrived at Central Jail. Before the Congress legislative delegation, former Deputy Chief Minister T.S. Singh Deo had also reached Raipur Jail to meet MLA Devendra Yadav, but he was not allowed to meet him.
Dr Mahant said, “We came here to meet him. Following the Chief Minister’s instructions, more than 5 people were not allowed to meet. Permission was given to 5 of us: myself, Bhupesh Baghel, Ravindra Choubey, Umesh Patel, and Laljit Singh Rathia.”
The Congress will strive to hold protests against this injustice and will meet with the Governor in the coming days. Before this, the Leader of the Opposition held a meeting with all Congress MLAs at Rajiv Bhawan, where they strategized on how to corner the government. Congress will hold statewide protests against the arrest on August 24.

MLA Yadav was brought to Central Jail late at night on August 17, following his arrest. Pressure is being exerted on the youth in jail to give false statements.
The Baloda Bazaar police arrested him from his residence in Bhilai on Saturday. Subsequently, the court sent him to judicial custody for 3 days. Devendra Yadav had been continuously issued notices in the Baloda Bazaar violence case. After the fourth notice was issued, the MLA refused to give a statement, saying that the police should come to him if they needed any statements.

Before his arrest, Devendra Yadav accused the BJP government of threatening the youth from the Satnami community, who are imprisoned, to forcibly give statements against him. They were allegedly told to say that Devendra Yadav arrived with people in 12 vehicles.

Devendra Yadav had already visited Baloda Bazaar once on July 22 to record his statement. According to the MLA, he will not keep coming to Baloda Bazaar repeatedly to record statements, neglecting his political work. He stated that he has already sent his response to the police. If necessary, he will meet with the Governor and face the situation with the help of the court.