'They were armed with iron rods, sticks and petrol cans. They went about breaking everything before sprinkling petrol and throwing a matchstick to set the house ablaze. The fire raged for nearly two hours and several policemen were there but remained mute spectators. Later, four servants were taken away in a police vehicle. I managed to hide in one of the toilets.'

Pictures carried by a local Hindi daily show a BSP legislator leading the band of attackers. Policemen can also be clearly seen watching the burning vehicles.

R.A. Shankhdhar, an advocate who lives across the road from Joshi, told IANS: 'I woke up on account of loud slogan shouting, which apparently preceded the attack. By the time I lookd out from my terrace, I found flames emerging out of the house and within minutes the cars parked inside the compound were ablaze.'

'In fact, one of the vehicles burnt (a Maruti van) belonged to me. Due tof lack of space in my house, I had taken Mrs. Joshi's permission to park it there,' he added.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Congress leader Digvijay Singh said: 'The Congress condemns the incident. It is the handiwork of BSP workers. All this has happened under the sponsorship of the government. This is state sponsored vandalism.

'I have not seen the speech given by Rita Bahuguna Joshi but from what I have seen in the TV channels, her statement was uncalled for. However, she has already apologised (for the remark). Which law says that her house be ransacked and set on fire? The law will take its course. We will fight it out in court.'