UP Congress chief held, her house set on fire

GHAZIABAD/LUCKNOW: President of Uttar Pradesh unit of Congress Rita Bahuguna Joshi was arrested in Ghaziabad district and a portion of her house set on fire by alleged BSP supporters for making allegedly inflammatory speech in Moradabad district.

"Joshi has been arrested in Ghaziabad while she was on her way to Delhi. She has been booked under 153 A (delivering inflammatory speeches), section 109 of IPC (using abusive language), 7 Criminal Law Amendment Act besides SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act", Additional Director General of Police Brij Lal said.

He said some rowdy elements forced their way into the house of Joshi in Lucknow and set a portion of it afire damaging property and vehicles parked there.

"The fire has been doused and police force has been deployed there. Security has also been enhanced at the Allahabad residence of the leader (Joshi)", he said.

Joshi had allegedly made some derogatory remarks about Chief Minister Mayawati.

Joshi's house on Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg in a high security zone, a stone's throw from the Chief Minister's secretariat, in Lucknow, was attacked just after midnight by alleged BSP activists who damaged vehicles, sources said.

Joshi resided in the house of former Congress MLA Kirti Kumar.