Ajay Rai detained by Barabanki Police in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai was detained by Barabanki Police on Saturday afternoon near the Shahpur toll plaza. Rai was traveling with a convoy to meet the family of Vinod Kumar Sahni, a utensils trader whose death in Gonda district has sparked significant political protests and outrage.

Reports indicate that police stopped Rai's convoy, which included between six and 30 vehicles, and moved them to the Masoli police station. Approximately 200 people, including Congress workers, were also reportedly stopped at the station, where they raised slogans against the government.

Ajay Rai has accused the Uttar Pradesh government of deliberate oppression and targeting the Congress party. While the exact reason for the detention has not been officially confirmed by police, the incident occurred amid heightened tensions following the death of Sahni, which police say resulted from a dispute over a social media post.