Union Minister Maneka Gandhi accused of slapping, kicking forest staff

Pilibhit (UP), May 12: Union minister Maneka Gandhi has been accused of slapping and kicking a forest staff in Mala forest range of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve while police today said that they are looking into the complaint.

"We are going into the complaint against the minister," a senior police official said, adding that no FIR has been lodged in this connection.

Approached for comments, Maneka told reporters outside Parliament, "I am not even answering things like this." In the complaint with Gajraula police, forest department employee Rooplal alleged that Maneka had slapped and kicked him after she got annoyed seeing a jungle fire while on her way to Puranpur to attend a function on Sunday.

Rooplal complained that the Union Minister for Women and Child Welfare stopped at Garha forest barrier in Mala forest range when she saw residue of wheat crop being burnt in adjacent fields. She lost her cool and held him responsible for it, he alleged. The deputy forest ranger present on the spot fled sensing trouble, leaving Rooplal to fend for himself, he claimed. He alleged that the minister got angry with him and hit him.

Rooplal narrated the incident to Minister of State in Uttar Pradesh government Riyaz Ahmad and District Magistrate O N Singh, who were attending a rifle shooting competition. Singh had said if the forest employee lodged a written complaint, he would get the matter probed. Ahmed said assaulting a government employee was condemnable.

PTI