Bijnor: A former state minister, who was in the hiding for four months apprehending arrest in a land grabbing case, was arrested after he resurfaced at a rally here, police said.

Swami Om Vesh, Sugar Cane Development Minister in the erstwhile SP government, was arrested for his alleged role in a land grabbing case yesterday when he participated in "Swabhiman Rally" organised by the Rastriya Lok Dal. While a total of 9 cases are pending against Vesh, the High Court has granted him bail in eight cases.

He had earlier said that he would participate in the rally. Section 144 was clamped in the area to prevent the rally at Indira Bal Bhawan and posted a large police force to prevent the demonstration and to arrest Om Vesh if he participated in the rally, they said. Om Vesh had earlier alleged that the district administration was planning to eliminate him.

After his arrest, 157 of his supporters, including local MP Munsi Ram Pal, courted arrest. However, they were released later in the evening.

Source : PTI