The police in Kota on Tuesday booked Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Ramganj Mandi, Chandrakanta Meghwal, her husband Narendra Meghwal, and party cadres on charges of assaulting policemen during an altercation when the latter were imposing fines on two-wheeler riders on Monday.
Ms. Meghwal, elected from the reserved constituency of Ramganj Mandi, has alleged that the policemen misbehaved with her and her husband and even “torn her clothes” inside Mahavir Nagar police station. However, the police claimed that Mr. Narendra Meghwal had slapped a Circle Inspector during the protest.
A total of five cases were registered at Mahavir Nagar police station, including two against the MLA and others under Sections 143 (unlawful assembly) and 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty) of Indian Penal Code.
On Ms. Meghwal's complaint, three cases were registered against Deputy Superintendent of Police Chuna Ram, Circle Inspector Sriram Badsara and three police constables under the relevant sections of I.P.C. and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Kota Superintendent of Police S.S. Godara told The Hindu that no arrests had been made so far in the case and the situation in the city was peaceful. “The policemen named in first information reports, except the Deputy S.P., are being sent to the Police Lines,” he said.
The scuffle between the MLA’s supporters and the police personnel broke out when the traffic policemen were issuing challans to two-wheeler riders driving without helmets. When Mr. Meghwal allegedly thrashed the Circle Inspector, police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the BJP workers.
Clashes also took place at Mahavir Nagar police station when Ms. Meghwal arrived there and five policemen and a dozen BJP workers, including the MLA, sustained injuries.
Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said in a statement that no one had the right to disturb law and order and everyone, including the police officers and the elected representatives, should abide by law. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje took feedback from the BJP leaders of the Kota region at a hurriedly called meeting here on Tuesday evening.
