Absconding politician Shrikant Tyagi, who claims to be a BJP leader, was arrested Tuesday from Meerut, officials said, days after he was seen in a social media video abusing and assaulting a woman for objecting to his alleged illegal constructions at a housing society in Noida. Tyagi was at large since Friday evening, and the Noida Police had announced a reward of Rs 25,000 on his arrest. Additional Director General of Uttar Pradesh Police (law and order) Prashant Kumar said in Lucknow Tyagi has been arrested.

On the controversy surrounding security given to Tyagi by the Uttar Pradesh police, Kumar said he had no such protection after February 2020. A senior Noida police officer said, “Tyagi’s three associates were also held along with him.” Before the arrests, Tyagi’s wife was once again detained for questioning Tuesday morning in the case lodged at the Phase 2 police station, according to officials.