NEW DELHI: According to Times Now reports, social activist Anna Hazare will be released from Tihar jail by tonight. Earlier, Hazare and some of his close associates were arrested and prevented from going ahead with their indefinite fast demanding a "strong" Lokpal in defiance of the prohibitory orders, an action that came under attack from political parties and triggered protests by supporters across the country.
The 73-year old Gandhian was picked up at 7.30 am from a flat where he was staying in Mayur Vihar in east Delhi after he refused to be persuaded by the Delhi Police officials who urged him not to undertake the fast since it would be in violation of prohibitory orders that were imposed last night.
Hazare and his aides including Arvind Kejriwal, were first taken to the Delhi Police Officers' Mess in North Delhi and were shifted to another after Hazare's supporters gathered in a large numbers at the Civil Lines areas.
Nearly 1400 activists were detained in various parts of the city when they came out in support of Hazare, who had planned to launch the fast at J P park near Ferozeshah Kotla and Delhi Police Commissioner B K Gupta said they would be released after "some time".
The social activist, who is campaigning for a legislation that will cover the Prime Minister, higher judiciary and MPs conduct within Parliament among other things, was later taken to Rajouri Garden police station in West Delhi where a Special Executive Magistrate remanded him to 7 days' judicial custody.
The decision to remand him came after Hazare refused to sign a personal bond undertaking that he will not defy the prohibitory orders and hold protests.
Kiran Bedi, Shanti Bhushan released
Civil rights activists Kiran Bedi and Shanti Bhushan, detained by Delhi Police Tuesday morning ahead of Anna Hazare's fast-unto-death, were released in the evening, police said.
"Kiran Bedi and Shanti Bhushan have been released," Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat told reporters. He said theirs was "preventive arrest".
Bedi and Bhushan were detained under the Delhi Police Act, on charges of refusing to comply with the directions given by a police officer.
Hazare, fellow activist Arvind Kejriwal and six supporters were sent to Tihar jail by a special executive magistrate for not signing a bail bond and promising not to violate prohibitory orders.
Police had clamped prohibitory orders at the J P Park where the activists were planning to sit on fast against corruption.
India against corruption: Anna Hazare to be released from Tihar jail by tonight; Shanti Bhushan, Kiran Bedi released - The Times of India
