Politician Arrested For Demanding Rs 20 Lakh, SUV To End Dharna: UP Police

"Ahsan Khan, the state spokesperson of the ASP, demanded Rs 20 lakh and an SUV from police and administration officials to end the dharna," Superintendent of Police (SP) Sudhir Kumar Singh said.

Fifteen people, including a leader of the Azad Samaj Party (ASP), have been arrested in this Uttar Pradesh district for allegedly demanding Rs 20 lakh and a luxury vehicle from the administration for ending a dharna organised against atrocities on Dalits, police said on Wednesday. "Ahsan Khan, the state spokesperson of the ASP, demanded Rs 20 lakh and an SUV from police and administration officials to end the dharna," Superintendent of Police (SP) Sudhir Kumar Singh said while releasing an audio clip, in which Khan purportedly made the demand, to the media. In the 4.57-minute-long clip, Khan is heard talking to a person, who is apparently mediating to bringing the protest to an end. During the conversation, Khan is heard asking for money and a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) to end the dharna. He also demands suspension of a policeman and lodging of an FIR against him.