A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against former Jaunpur Member of Parliament Dhananjay Singh and his associates for alleged rioting and criminal intimidation. The case stems from an incident where residents of a Lucknow colony were reportedly threatened for opposing the illegal construction of a wall on a public road.
Alleged Encroachment and Intimidation
The controversy erupted on Monday, December 30, 2025, in the Swastika City colony of Lucknow. Residents, led by complainant Kaushal Tiwari, alleged that Dhananjay Singh's aide, Vinay Singh, who is the husband of a local block head, was illegally constructing a wall on a road used by the public for over two decades.
When the local residents objected to this encroachment, Vinay Singh and his men allegedly assaulted them. The accused also threatened to kill the complainants with firearms. In a key moment captured in a now-viral video, Vinay Singh is purportedly seen making a phone call. He then asked the residents to speak to the person on the other end, identifying him as former MP Dhananjay Singh. The frightened residents, however, refused to take the call.
Police Inaction and Subsequent FIR
The situation escalated further when the victims approached the police. Kaushal Tiwari stated that when he and other residents went to the Sushant Golf City police station to file a complaint, the Station House Officer (SHO), Upendra Singh, refused to register their case. Shockingly, the SHO instead lodged an FIR against the residents based on a counter-complaint filed by Vinay Singh.
This alleged dereliction of duty prompted immediate action from senior officers. The Lucknow Police Commissioner removed SHO Upendra Singh from his post for failing to act on the victims' complaint and for registering a case against them instead.
Charges and Aftermath
The police subsequently filed an FIR against Dhananjay Singh, Vinay Singh, and others, including a police gunman. While Dhananjay Singh was not physically present at the site, his alleged involvement over the phone led to his inclusion in the case.
The charges invoked in the FIR are serious and include:
- Rioting
- Criminal intimidation
- Outraging the modesty of a woman using force or assault
- Relevant provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the influence of powerful figures in local disputes and the crucial role of police responsiveness. The swift removal of the SHO signals administrative intent to address procedural lapses in handling complaints from citizens.
