Anna Hazare was to set out for his fast against corruption

Anna Hazare was to set out for his fast against corruption, about a dozen policemen in plain clothes detained him at the Supreme Enclave in Delhi's Mayur Vihar, where he was staying.

Mr Hazare was taken to the Delhi Police Mess near Oberoi Maidan in north Delhi and will be produced before a magistrate there. If he refuses bail, Anna Hazare may go to jail. The 74-year-old has not eaten since morning.

Anna Hazare asked on what charges he was being arrested, but Delhi Police insist that he has been detained - not arrested. For now police sources say there are no charges against anyone and Anna's "preventive detention" is for a maximum time period of 24 hours. And that only to keep law and order in check. He may be released earlier though.