MLA slapped in public view

Tribune News Service

Ambala, August 12

Mullana MLA Santosh Chauhan Sarwan was on Monday slapped and threatened of dire consequences in full public view at Sardaheri village in Mullana after she went there to inaugurate development projects.

The assailant, who approached the BJP legislator on the pretext of submitting some complaint, assaulted her and threatened her with dire consequences before the MLA’s security staff and villagers could catch hold of him.

He was identified as Talwinder Singh, alias Bindu, a local resident in his mid-twenties. He was booked under Sections 323, 353, 186, 506 and 120-B of the IPC at the Mullana police station.

In his complaint to the police, sarpanch Jal Singh said the incident took place around 11:30 am when the MLA came to the village to inaugurate development projects.

“No sooner did the MLA step down from the dais, the youth approached her on the pretext of submitting a complaint. Without any provocation, he slapped the legislator and threatened her of dire consequences,” he reported.

The assailant was caught by the MLA’s security staff and villagers. He was thrashed by local residents before being handed over to the police, onlookers said.

The assailant’s father, Mohinder Singh, claimed that his son was mentally unstable. “He is undergoing treatment at the local hospital for the past several years. He did this act unintentionally,” he said. He said villagers thrashed his son despite knowing about the mental illness.

Ambala SP Abhishek Jorwal said the police had lodged an FIR on the complaint of the village sarpanch and started investigation. He said the claim of mental illness would be verified during the course of investigation.

The MLA said the sarpanch had lodged a complaint and it was up to the police to take action. “I do not want to say anything more,” she said when asked whether she suspected political conspiracy.