Confusion reigns over Rakhi Sawant's arrest for making 'objectionable' remarks against Valmiki

Has she been arrested or not? While the Punjab Police on Tuesday denied the arrest of Bollywood starlet and controversy's favourite child Rakhi Sawant following an arrest warrant issued by a Ludhiana court, a spokesperson for the actress said she had surrendered.

According to media reports, Sawant had been arrested by the Punjab Police for allegedly making 'objectionable' remarks against sage Valmiki, who wrote the mythological Hindu epic 'Ramayana'.

On Tuesday, news agency ANI reported that the police had arrested her.

The warrant was issued on March 9 on the basis of a complaint filed against her for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of Valmiki community with her comments on a programme on a private television channel last year, police said today.

The court issued the arrest warrant after Rakhi Sawant failed to appear before it on March 9 in a case filed against her for making deragatory remarks against sage Valmiki, the author of the Ramayana which chronicles the life and times of Hindu god Lord Rama.

The complainants had accused Rakhi Sawant of hurting religious sentiments of the Valmiki community by her remarks on a TV show.

"Rakhi is with the police. She has surrendered," spokesperson Parul Chawla told IANS on telephone from Mumbai, claiming she had a Whatsapp conversation with the controversial actress.

Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner of Police Dharuman Nimbale said a police team which had gone to Mumbai to execute the arrest warrant against Rakhi was returning as they failed to find her at the given address.

He said the Ludhiana police will seek fresh directions from the court for further action.