The Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha’s Uttar Pradesh president, Yogendra Verma, was beaten up allegedly by a group of people after he questioned a couple on Saturday in Mawana area in Meerut district of western Uttar Pradesh.
Mr. Verma later told the media that while he was travelling with his associates, he spotted a couple in an objectionable position near Mawana. As he and his associates tried to question the couple, the boy allegedly ran away and entered a nearby factory, he added.
“We tried to chase him, but were suddenly confronted by a large group who assaulted us. It was an interfaith couple and this is a case of ‘love jihad’,” Mr. Verma claimed.
FIR lodged
Mr. Verma sustained injuries and reported the matter to the police. The police have lodged an FIR based on the complaint and investigating the case. The case was registered under IPC Sections 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 147 (rioting).
Eyewitnesses told the police that Mr. Verma and his associates insulted the couple, called up the girl’s parents and attacked the boy. Meanwhile, a crowd gathered at the spot and assaulted Mr. Verma.
Four arrested
Nai Mandi police station in charge Harisharan Sharma told The Hindu that Mr. Verma approached the police after the incident and the accused have been identified. “We have so far arrested four persons while another one is absconding. A team has been formed and raids are being conducted,” he said.
