After a day-long drama, MIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi was finally arrested for his hate speech, even as vigil was stepped up, particularly in Hyderabad, anticipating violent protests.
By evening, Akbaruddin, younger brother of MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, was driven to Nirmal town where cases had been registered against him.
Places along the route, from Hyderabad to Nirmal, were put on high alert and Section 144 was clamped on Nirmal.
Police have registered a case against Owaisi under Sections 153-A and 121 of the IPC for making an inflammatory speech in the town on December 22, which evoked nationwide condemnation.