Maha MLA Bachchu Kadu arrested for assault on govt officer

Mumbai, Mar 30: Independent MLA from Maharashtra, Bachchu Kadu, who had been booked for allegedly assaulting a government officer at Mantralaya, was today arrested by the city police.

The legislator, who represents Achalpur Assembly constituency in Amaravati district of Maharashtra, was held by the Marine Drive Police as soon as he came out of the Assembly here.

According to police, Kadu, along with a clerk Ashok Jadhav, hag gone to meet B R Gavit, Deputy Secretary, General Administration Department, yesterday. He was insisting that Jadhav be allowed to continue to stay in the government quarters and be allotted additional accommodation, in violation of norms.

The officer apparently refused to entertain his demand. An infuriated Kadu allegedly abused and hit him hard on the head. Police said a case under IPC sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 34 (common intention), had been registered against the MLA and the clerk in this connection yesterday.

"Another accused in the case yet to be traced," police said. A three-term MLA from Achalpur, Kadu, had also assaulted a clerk in Mantralaya in 2009 after he had refused to release an order.

Earlier in the day, while interacting with reporters, Kadu had said, "Instead of taking action against me, the government should act against such officers. What I did is for the common people." Making a statement in the Assembly later, Kadu denied having assaulted the official.

"I did not beat him. Had I beaten him, I would have said so. If such false allegations are being levelled, should we (legislators) stop going to Mantralaya," he asked. "Jadhav wanted to continue living in the quarters for two more years on medical grounds. I was trying to explain this to him (Gavit)," Kadu said.

"Organised 'dadagiri' (intimidation) (by government officials) should stop," Kadu said, in reference to the protest by the Mantralaya staff over the incident.

Meanwhile, the government employees working at the Mantralaya, who had gone on a flash strike yesterday to protest against the incident and demand action against the legislator, called off their protest this evening. State Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse has announced an enquiry by the Chief Secretary into the alleged assault.

PTI