MLAs’ ‘misconduct’ irks Rajasthan police

After Haryana minister Anil Vij told a lady IPS officer Sangeeta Kalia to “get out”, Rajasthan public representatives went one step further when BJP legislators allegedly slapped police officers in two separate incidents.

Two days ago, a case was registered against BJP MLA from Behror Jaswant Yadav for slapping traffic constable Devilal who had stopped his car to make way for an ambulance. However, the car driver ignored and tried to force his way through. When the constable asked the driver to let the ambulance go first, MLA Yadav got off the vehicle and slapped the constable telling him “don’t you know who I am”.

Later, on the instructions of the DGP, a case was registered against MLA Yadav who had denied the allegations. According to him, there was jam on the highway but the cops paid no attention. “When I told them I would complain to the Superintendent of police, they made this allegation,” he said.

In another incident, a video went viral showing BJP MLA from Kota Sandeep Sharma scuffling with a Deputy Superintendent of police while he was trying to stop party workers from entering airport during Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh’s visit. In the video, MLA Sharma’s hand is on Dy. SP’s face. However, MLA Sharma has claimed that his hand might have gone on the officer’s face accidentally because of rush.

The incident is said to have angered policemen so much that they decided to boycott the event and wore a black armbands which was later aborted after consultations from senior police officers. Though the officers are also believed to be angry for lack of action in both the cases.

These are not isolated incidents. Last year, BJP suspended MLA Prahlad Gunjal for threatening and abusing a senior medical officer.

Two months ago a traffic police head constable in Jodhpur was allegedly removed from his duty for issuing challan to son of a minister. In 1997, BJP leader Devi S. Bhati was sacked by CM Bhairon Singh Shekhawat for assaulting an IAS officer.

The congress cannot be left behind. In 2001, the party had to suspend its MLA Babulal Singaria for for assaulting not one but two senior police officers. He slapped IPS officer Alok Tripathi slapped IPS Alok Tripathi and tore down clothes of additional superintendent of police Vasudev Bhatt. Only last week former MLA from Shivganj in Sirohi district, Sanyam Lodha is being seen shouting on district collector in a video. He also allegedly called the collector ‘fool’.