BJP leader Manikant Rathod detained at Delhi airport enroute Kathmandu by Yadgir police

YADGIR: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manikant Rathod was arrested at the Delhi airport by the Yadgir police on Monday night in connection with a case related to theft of PDS rice.

About 15 days ago, about 700 quintals of PDS rice was seized from a rice mill belonging to Rathod and a case was registered at the Shahpur police station. The police were on the lookout for Manikat Rathod since then.

Manikat Rathod had booked an Air India flight to Kathmandu from Delhi. But, in a video message, he claimed that he was heading to Ayodhya. The Yadgir police have remained tightlipped about his arrest.

In the video, Rathod claimed, “There is no case against me, but the police are arresting me on the instigation of Minister Priyank Kharge. I was headed to Ayodhya, but the police have arrested me illegally”.