UP Cong chief arrested for allegedly abusing Maya

Ghaziabad/Lucknow: President of Uttar Pradesh unit of Congress Rita Bahuguna Joshi was on Wednesday arrested in Ghaziabad district.

A portion of her house set on fire by Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supporters for making allegedly inflammatory speech in Moradabad district against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati..

"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 Allahabd residence of the leader (Joshi)", he said.

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.