BJP Leader's Son Detained After Alleged Attack on On-Duty Officer
A case of alleged assault on a police officer has caused a stir in Varanasi, involving the son of a local BJP leader. The incident occurred on Thursday near the Manikarnika Dwar in the area under the Chowk police station.
Himanshu Srivastava, son of BJP corporator Brijesh Srivastava from Hukulganj, was arrested after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered based on the complaint of the assaulted officer.
Details of the New Year's Eve Altercation
According to the official complaint, Sub-Inspector Abhishek Tripathi was deployed for traffic management near Manikarnika Gali on Satua Baba Ashram Marg. This was part of the traffic diversion plan implemented for the New Year celebrations.
During his duty, three young men arrived on a motorcycle from the ghat side. They reportedly insisted on moving forward through the restricted zone. Due to the heavy crowd gathered for the festivities, SI Tripathi asked them to wait for some time for their own safety and to manage the flow.
This request, however, led to an argument. One of the youths, identified as Himanshu Srivastava, allegedly became agitated and slapped the police officer. The police team present at the spot swiftly intervened, rescuing the accused from the crowd and taking him into custody. His two companions managed to flee towards the ghat side.
Initial reports suggest the youths were in the area to attend a cremation ceremony.
Police Action and Political Fallout
Following the assault, the Chowk police acted promptly. An FIR was formally registered based on SI Abhishek Tripathi's complaint, leading to the arrest of the accused, Himanshu Srivastava.
The incident drew immediate political attention. Several leaders from the ruling party gathered at the Chowk police station after news of the arrest broke, highlighting the sensitivity of the case involving a family member of a party representative.
When contacted for a statement, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for Kashi zone, Gaurav Banshwal, confirmed the arrest and stated that a thorough investigation into the matter is currently underway. The police are examining all aspects of the case to ensure appropriate legal action.
This incident has raised questions about law enforcement challenges during major public events and the accountability of individuals connected to political figures. The swift arrest, however, has been noted as a sign of the police's commitment to taking action irrespective of the accused's background.
