Former UP Minister slaps a boy, may face action

Bijnor, Feb 7 (PTI) Former UP minister Swami Om Veshhas allegedly slapped a 12-year-old boy who tried to pick hispocket during a demonstration by RLD party workers, policesaid.

During the demonstration against the policies of thegovernment, the former minister slapped the boy on February 5,district SP Mahesh Chandra Mishra said.

After some local media highlighted the issue, the DGpolice yesterday instructed the Bijnor police to investigatethe incident and book him, if found guilty, he said.

The police has not been able to trace the boy, hesaid, adding, a case against the former minister would beregistered once a formal complaint is made.

Meanwhile, Swami Om Vesh defended himself by sayingthat he had simply twisted the boy''s ears and advised him notto indulge in wrongful activities again, adding, his onlyintention was to "reform" the boy, not to harm him. PTI CORRKAP