Mumbai Congress president and former MP Sanjay Nirupam on Wednesday alleged that he is under 'house arrest' on the day BJP president Amit Shah is in the city.

“Since morning, a number of policemen are standing outside and inside my building, and this was despite the fact that we had not announced any agitation,” he said.

When he enquired as to the reason for the police presence, he was told that senior police officials had instructed personnel to keep vigil at his house, he said.

“It seems that the BJP government fears that we will gherao or agitate in front of Mr. Shah and that is the reason that it wants to confine us within our houses,” he said, adding that it was unfortunate that police were ''harassing Congress workers'' and are forced to provide security to Mr. Shah.

Police denial

When contacted, police spokesperson DCP Deepak Deoraj denied that Mr. Nirupam is either under house arrest or detention.

“We have increased bandobast all over the city today due to VIP movements, and beat marshalls as well as patrolling units keep passing by and checking for any untoward or suspicious activity. One such unit is being portrayed in an inaccurate light,” Mr. Deoraj said.