Lucknow, September 20
The Lucknow police today made its first high-profile arrest in the Muzaffarnagar riots case by arresting BJP MLA Suresh Rana barely an hour after the monsoon session of the Vidhan Sabha was adjourned sine die.

Rana, who represents the Thana Bhawan constituency in Shamli district, is accused of making provocative speeches ahead of the riots and violating prohibitory orders.

The charge Thana Bhawan MLA Suresh Rana is an accused of making provocative speeches and violating prohibitory orders He is among four BJP MLAs named as accused in the riots case A Muzaffarnagar court had issued arrest warrants against 16 public figures, including four BJP legislators, BSP MP Qadir Rana and BKU’s Naresh Tikait, on September 18.

He is among four BJP MLAs who have been named in the case. On September 18, a Muzaffarnagar court had issued arrest warrants against 16 public figures, including four BJP MLAs, BSP MP Qadir Rana and BKU’s Naresh Tikait, among others.

The three other BJP MLAs who are likely to be arrested soon are: Hukum Singh (Kairana), Sangeet Singh Som (Sardhna) and Kunwar Bhartendu (Bijnore). Bhartendu had resisted arrest in Dehradun a few days ago.

Rana was picked up as was leaving for his Gomti Nagar residence from the BJP state headquarters in front of the Vidhan Sabha. He has been kept at the Mirabai Marg guest house.

The BJP MLA will soon be produced before a magistrate and taken to Muzaffarnagar on transit remand. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) RK Vishwakarma said the Muzaffarnagar police had given an execution warrant to the Lucknow police on the basis of which Rana was arrested.

He has been booked under Sections 188, 153A, 353 and 435, IPC, and Section 7 of the Criminal Amendment Act, which are non-bailable offences.