New Delhi December 20: Bhim Army president Chandrashekhar Azad, who was detained by the police for leading an unauthorised protest at Jama Masjid on Friday, escaped from police custody. The 31-year-old was first taken into custody after he appeared among the protesters at the iconic steps of Jama Masjid, with an image of Bhimrao Ambedkar on one hand and a copy of the Constitution in another. Congress Leader Sharmistha Mukherjee Also Detained for Protesting Near Amit Shah’s Residence.

Azad, along with hundreds of other protesters, raised Jai Bhim slogans and read the Preamble of the Constitution. The police subsequently took scores among them into detention. Azad, mysteriously, succeeded in slipping away from the police detention.

Azad, who was released by the Uttar Pradesh government earlier this year after keeping him jailed for 18 months under the National Security Act (NSA), was denied permission by the Delhi Police for participating in a march from the Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar.

Watch Video of Chandrashekhar Azad Protesting at Jantar Mantar

Shortly before the Friday congregational prayers, Azad tweeted his followers to not to be "misled" by rumours. He claimed that he would be "anyhow reaching" Jama Masjid to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

Despite heavy police cover, Azad - with his face covered by blue jacket - succeeded in dodging the security personnel and entering inside the mosque. With scores of protesters forming a chain around him, the Bhim Army chief waved the tricolour and raised slogans against the Narendra Modi government.

The protests which erupted in Delhi on Friday were largely peaceful, as compared to the violent demonstrations staged in Seelampur, Jafrabad and other parts earlier this week. While Section 144 was in place in Red Fort area earlier in the day, the restrictions were relaxed by afternoon to facilitate the assembly of people for Friday congregational prayers.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 20, 2019 04:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).