Uttarakhand BJP MLA Expresses Regret Over Office Altercation in Dehradun
BJP MLA Umesh Sharma Kau on Sunday issued a public apology, describing a recent altercation at the office of Ajay Kumar Naudiyal, director of the basic education department in Dehradun, as an "unfortunate" incident. The lawmaker stated that he had visited the office to discuss the long-pending issue of renaming a local government school after a deceased family member who had donated land for it.
"Things got heated, and the unfortunate incident happened. I offer my apologies to all those affected," the MLA said, acknowledging the escalation during what was intended as a peaceful discussion.
Dual FIRs Filed Amid Ongoing Outrage
Amid mounting public outrage over the assault, police at Dehradun's Raipur police station took swift action by registering two separate First Information Reports (FIRs). Late Saturday night, an FIR was filed against unidentified persons based on a complaint from the MLA's gunner, constable Sushil Ramola, who was present during the incident.
This development came hours after police had earlier registered an FIR against MLA Umesh Sharma Kau and other unidentified individuals, based on a complaint lodged by director Ajay Kumar Naudiyal. The dual filings highlight the complex nature of the altercation and the conflicting accounts from both sides.
Details of the Alleged Assault and Confinement
Raipur Station House Officer (SHO) Girish Negi provided detailed insights into the allegations made by constable Ramola. "Ramola alleged that during the commotion, unidentified people hit the MLA by throwing a mobile phone at him and later tried to throw a chair," Negi stated.
The SHO further explained that this aggressive behavior occurred while the MLA was engaged in what was described as a peaceful discussion regarding the renaming of a local government school. "The accused later confined him inside the office after locking it from outside," Negi added, emphasizing the severity of the alleged wrongful confinement.
Legal Charges and Ongoing Investigation
Acting on constable Ramola's complaint, authorities have filed a case against unidentified persons under multiple charges. These include:
- Assault
- Wrongful confinement
- Intentional insult to provoke breach of peace
The charges have been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), India's new criminal code. SHO Girish Negi confirmed that "a probe is underway" to investigate the incident thoroughly and identify those responsible for the alleged assault and confinement.
The situation remains tense as authorities work to reconcile the conflicting reports and determine the exact sequence of events that led to this unfortunate altercation in a government office.
