UP Cong chief, others booked for blocking roads in Varanasi

The Congress leader, however, maintained that he was highlighting the ground reality.

Rai, along with 50 supporters had on Thursday took out a march from Englishia Line to Sajan Chowk in Varanasi, stepped into potholes on the road and raised slogans. The 1.5 kilometre road stretch has been dug up at various places, the condition of which was made worse by the rains.

Station House Officer of Sigra station, Sanjay Kumar, said that the march caused inconvenience to the public. People heading to the railway station and bus stand, as well as ambulances, were stuck as the traffic was disrupted, he said.

"Based on a complaint filed by Vidyapeeth outpost in-charge Vikal Shandilya, a case has been registered against Ajay Rai, 10 other identified people and 40-50 unidentified people under Sections 285 (causing danger or blocking public spaces), 326(b) (mischief by injury, inundation, fire or explosive substance, et cetera) and 126(2) (wrongful restraint) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita," SHO Kumar said.

Responding, Ajay Rai claimed that he was booked because the BJP government was scared and nervous. "Yesterday, we were trying to show the ground reality to the government by getting down into the potholes. Instead, the government filed a case against us," he said.

He said that in the month of Saavan, the Kanwariyas (pilgrims) have to brave potholes and sewage water on Varanasi roads to reach Baba Vishwanath's temple, where "flowers are showered on them for mere optics".

Rai alleged that roads were broken everywhere in the city. He said that a government camp has been set up in Varanasi's Chittaranjan Park, but there were no arrangements in place for water and electricity, nor proper roads.

"I am trying to make the government aware of these things, due to which it got scared and filed a case against me at 1 am. We all will come out on the streets and keep exposing the government," the Congress leader said.