Samajwadi Party MP booked under SC/ST Act over assault, caste-based abuse

Samajwadi Party MP Laxmikant alias Pappu Nishad has been booked under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act following a complaint alleging assault, caste-based abuse and criminal intimidation, while another FIR was registered against unidentified persons on the MP's complaint over alleged damage to his vehicle, officials said.

The incident took place on Friday evening near Amardobha crossing in the Bakhira police station area when a dispute broke out after police stopped a DJ being played during a Ganesh idol-immersion procession. The MP's vehicle got caught in the ensuing commotion and its window was allegedly damaged after stones were thrown at it.

Nishad lodged a complaint against unidentified persons late on Friday, alleging that his vehicle was damaged during the procession. On Saturday, the police registered an FIR at Bakhira police station under sections 191(2), 110, 324(4) and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

FIR lodged over alleged attack on MP's vehicle

In the FIR lodged on Nishad's complaint on Saturday, Bakhira police invoked Section 191(2) of the BNS, relating to rioting while armed with a deadly weapon, Section 110 concerning attempt to commit culpable homicide, Section 324(4) relating to aggravated mischief causing specified damage or loss, and Section 125 concerning acts endangering life or personal safety by causing hurt or grievous hurt.

Counter-complaint alleges caste-based abuse

In a counter-complaint, Vishal Kumar, a local resident of the Bakhira police station area, alleged that chaos broke out after the DJ was stopped. He alleged that the MP reached the spot in his vehicle, which hit him, causing him to fall and sustain injuries.

When he objected, Nishad, Zila Panchayat member Vishwketu Yadav and their supporters allegedly abused him using caste-related remarks and threatened to kill him, Kumar alleged.

On Kumar's complaint, Bakhira police registered a case on Saturday under similar sections of the BNS against Nishad, along with some unidentified persons. Provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were also invoked.

Police to examine allegations and evidence

Nishad alleged that protesters started raising slogans against him and pelted his vehicle with bricks and stones after seeing the party flag. He said he got out of the vehicle and ran towards a market to save himself before the police intervened.

Additional Superintendent of Police Sushil Kumar Singh said FIRs had been registered on complaints from both sides and the allegations and evidence from the spot would be examined before further action is taken.