VHP claimed Togadia (62) was detained by the Rajasthan Police in connection with a case, but the latter denied this.

VHP leader Dr Pravin Togadia has gone “missing” and Ahmedabad police have formed four teams to locate his whereabouts, said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ahmedabad J.K. Bhatt, while denying that he has not been arrested either by Gujarat or Rajasthan police as was being speculated by VHP workers and followers.

“We are trying to find his location. He left in an auto around 10:45 this morning from VHP office in the city,” Mr Bhatt told media persons in a briefing amidst speculations of Dr Togadia’s detention or arrest by Rajasthan police in a decade old case.

Mr Bhatt said that Dr Togadia enjoys Z plus security cover but on Monday; he did not take any security guard with him while leaving from the VHP office in an auto along with a bearded man.

“Rajasthan police team came to Ahmedabad after an arrest warrant was issued against VHP leader. Our police extended help Rajasthan cops to visit Dr Togadia’s residence and also VHP office but we could not find him in either location,” Mr Bhatt said.

He added that the Ahmedabad police are in constant touch with VHP leaders to trace Dr Togadia’s location.

As soon as the news of his alleged detention spread, hundreds of VHP workers gathered at Sola police station and threatened to launch a nationwide protests of Dr Togadia was not released immediately.

Some local leaders even expressed fear of his encounter by cops from Rajasthan and Gujarat. “Pravinbhai is missing, his mobile is switched off and his location is not traceable,” Gujarat VHP leader Ranchhodbhai Bharwad told media.

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