Vishwa Hindu Parishad working President Pravin Togadia, who allegedly went missing on Wednesday, has made startling claims in a press conference he addressed in Ahmedabad this morning. Stunning all, Togadia said there was a conspiracy hatched against him by police. He even claimed of receiving a tip-off about the encounter. Togadia, without naming Narendra Modi or any other BJP leader, alleged Central, Rajasthan and Gujarat government agencies are working against him. Both Gujarat and Rajasthan have BJP governments. He also appealed the police to not to work under political pressure. He termed last night events as a conspiracy to muzzle his voice. Here are some of the claims made by Togadia in today’s press conference:

– Received Tip-off about the arrest from Rajasthan and Gujarat police: “I left office when I came to know that Rajasthan police had come to arrest me. I left office thinking my arrest would lead to chaos. I switched off my phone and went to Thaltej to an activists’ office.” He further alleged that conspiracy is being hatched against him to muzzle his voice. He also expressed fear from Enforcement Directorate.

– “While I was offering Pooja yesterday morning, one person entered my office and said that I will be killed in police encounter,” Togadia said.

– Togadia broke down: He became emotional and broke down while narrating the purported ordeal he went through. Asked about how did he went missing, Togadia said he was on his way to the airport when he fell unconscious near Kotarpur. “I contacted all my advocates in Gujarat and Rajasthan. They advised me to surrender before court. So I left for the airport to reach Jaipur. On the way, I fell near Kotarpur. I don’t remember anything else. I was alone covering myself with a shawl to dodge police,” he was quoted as saying.

– Togadia further requested police to not work under political pressure as he has done nothing wrong. “I am not escaping. I have no complaints with Gujarat or Rajasthan police. All I have to say to Gujarat police that why were you going to search my room. Am I a criminal. Have not done anything wrong. I request Crime Branch not to get under political pressure,” he said.

– Attempt to suppress the voice: “I am being targeted for a decade old case, there is an attempt to suppress my voice. Rajasthan Police team came to arrest me. Someone told me plan was being made to kill me in an encounter,” he said.

What happened with Togadia on Monday?

It was reported on Monday that Togadia had gone missing in Ahmedabad and was ‘untraceable’. Later, Togadia was found unconscious at a park in Shahibaug and was taken to Chandramani Hospital. Meanwhile, it was reported hat Rajasthan Police were on a hunt to execute an arrest warrant under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the IPC against Pravin Togadia in a case that is 12 years old.

What is the 12 year case?

Togadia is facing an arrest in a 12-year-old case. The VHP leader, he along with many other, had held a march, violating the police orders. As per the statement of VHP, Togadia is a patient of low blood sugar and was found lying in an unconscious state. Interestingly, Togadia is a Z-plus category protectee. The Rajasthan police confirmed that a contingent was sent to Gujarat, but said they were unsuccessful. On Monday evening, Director General of Police O P Galhotra said that the reports of Togadia’s arrests by Rajasthan police were “totally untrue and baseless” reports The Indian Express.