Video: FIR against NCP MLA, who slapped deputy collector

A criminal case has been filed against the NCP MLA from Karjat, Suresh Lad, whose alleged video of slapping a deputy collector in Maharashtra's Raigad district went viral on social media drawing severe criticism. The legislator,however, had denied having assaulted the official.

 

The Nationalist Congress Party MLA was caught on camera allegedly slapping Deputy Collector (land acquisition) Abhay Kargutkar, reportedly after a disagreement over compensation to farmers for land acquisition.

 

The incident took place last Thursday during a meeting called by Kargutkar to settle disputes about land acquisition for an oil pipeline.

 

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik told PTI that the MLA has denied slapping the official.

 

Lad alleges that the deputy collector was deliberately delaying the procedure of land acquisition for farmers.

 

Suresh Lad along with his supporters reached the Karjat Tehsildar office and started abusing Kalgutkar, after a while the MLA lost his cool and started assaulting the official.

 

In the video, he can be seen abusing and daring the deputy collector to come to the police station in the video.

 

Even though the Deputy Collector Abhay Kalgutkar refused to file a police complaint, after the online uproar the local police registered a case late on Wednesday night charging the MLA of assault and obstructing a public servant from executing his duties.

 

Protesting against the attacks on government officials, the Raigad and Palghar wings of Maharashtra State Gazetted Officers Federation also have convened meetings on Friday. The federation representative also will be meeting Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to submit a representation.