NCP workers try to assault Pawar's attacker in court premises

New Delhi, Nov 25: NCP workers today (Nov 25) attempted to assault a small-time transporter, who had slapped Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, in a court complex when he was taken for remand proceedings.

Around 25 NCP activists tried to assault 27-year-old Harvinder Singh as he was being escorted to Patiala House court lockup following his judicial custody remand till December nine by Metropolitan Magistrate Jasjeet Kaur.

The police, however, managed to take him away him to the lock-up and persuaded the NCP supporters, who were shouting slogans like 'Sharad Pawar zindabad', to leave the court premises.

Earlier, the activists shouted slogans and blocked traffic at India Gate near Patiala House courts for about 10 minutes but were dispersed by police.

Singh has been charged with assaulting 71-year-old Pawar, a public servant, and threatening him yesterday, besides trying to kill himself by slashing his wrist with his small 'kirpan'.

He was remanded in judicial custody after police pleaded that he has become "a threat to the society" and should not be released.

Singh showed no remorse and shouted slogans like "Bhagat Singh zindabad, Rajguru zindabad" in the courtroom. He also said he would want to repeat what he did.

During the court proceedings, Singh refused to engage any lawyer to defend himself saying he has no hope from the government.

Singh had assaulted Pawar when he was coming out of a literary function at a public auditorium on Parliament Street, claiming to protest against price rise and corruption.

Singh had attacked former Telecom Minister Sukhram outside a court here last Saturday after he was sentenced to five years in jail in a 1996 corruption case.

Private security guards had overpowered Singh after he had assaulted Pawar. He has been accused of offences which were non-bailable, lawyers said.

PTI