Jaipur, Apr 5 (PTI):  CBI today arrested BJP MLA Rajendra Rathore in connection with the fake encounter of local liquor smuggler Dara Singh in 2006.

Rathore, an MLA from Taranagar Assembly constituency, was arrested by the sleuths from his residence this morning and would be produced before a court later in the day.

ADG Police A K Jain wanted by the CBI for his role in the case has already surrendered before a special court here.

"The circumstantial evidence shows clearly that Dara was murdered in cold blood by SOG personnel and the same was duly monitored by ADG Police A K Jain, SP SOG A Ponnuchammi and Additional SP Arshad Ali along with other officials and during this entire period Rajendra Rathore (a sitting BJP MLA) was on telephonic touch with Jain, ADGP," the charge-sheet had said.

In its charge-sheet filed last year in June, CBI had alleged that Dara Singh was taken into illegal custody by SOG officials from Jaipur Airport and was taken to a lonely place near Amber where he was kept hostage till October 23, 2006 and killed in a planned manner.

Before his arrest, Rathore addressed a meeting of party workers at the BJP office and alleged that he was being falsely implicated at the behest of the Congress government.

"I did not know the person who was killed in the encounter before the incident was reported in newspapers next day in October 2006," Rathore claimed.

"In his first address in the Rajasthan Vidhansabha, the chief minister had said that he will get the matter inquired...and while pointing towards me he had said: 'I am concerned for you'. I then replied that I am a strong man and have faith in judiciary," Rathore said.

"It is very unfortunate that I am being falsely implicated but it is fortunate that you all are gathered here to give me moral support. I will return and resume my work to strengthen the party," he said