A civil defence volunteer attempted to throw water on AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal during a procession led by the leader in South Delhi on Saturday.

Delhi chief minister Atishi described the man as a “BJP goon”. The BJP called this an “old trick” of Kejriwal, who has been attacked in this manner on multiple occasions.

According to a police statement, Kejriwal was shaking hands with followers during a padyatra around 5.50pm when a person identified as Ashok Jha attempted to throw water on him. Jha was immediately caught as some cops were in close proximity.

The statement added: “The said attempt was foiled and SI Sandeep from PS Malviya Nagar nabbed Ashok Jha and he has been detained…. The alleged person is serving as Bus Marshal at Khanpur Depot.”

Around 10,000 civil defence volunteers serving as security marshals in public buses were sacked last year because of disagreements over their appointment between the AAP government and lieutenant governor V.K. Saxena. They were reinstated last month.

Jha’s motive is not yet known.

Kejriwal later posted on X: “Amit Shah ji, what will happen if you stop me, stop crime from Delhi. Will crime in Delhi reduce if you stop me? Will open shoot-outs in Delhi stop if you stop me? Will the women of Delhi become safe? Will the businessmen of Delhi become safe?”