In a developing political clash, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been booked by the police on charges of physical assault and criminal intimidation following a scuffle between MPs from the INDIA bloc and the NDA at the Parliament Complex. The charges stem from an alleged altercation involving Gandhi and BJP MPs, which took place during a protest over the alleged insult to BR Ambedkar.
The FIR was filed after BJP MP Hemang Joshi lodged a complaint with the police, accusing Gandhi of attempting to murder, causing harm, endangering life, and using criminal force. Joshi claims that Gandhi ignored security instructions and forcefully confronted the protestors, resulting in injuries to BJP MPs Mukesh Rajput and Pratap Chandra Sarangi.
Gandhi is being investigated under sections 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 117 (causing grievous hurt), 125 (endangering life), 131 (assault), 351 (criminal intimidation), and 3/5 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. Police are also seeking CCTV footage from the Lok Sabha Secretariat to investigate the incident further.
While BJP MPs have accused Gandhi of physical assault and incitement, Congress has strongly rejected these claims. In a counter-complaint, Congress accused BJP MPs of pushing Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and physically manhandling Gandhi. They allege that BJP MPs used force against Kharge, who is over 80 years old, and caused bodily harm to him and others.
Congress MPs, including Digvijaya Singh and Rajiv Shukla, personally visited the police station to file their complaint. The Congress is demanding accountability for what they describe as a violent act by BJP MPs, particularly against Kharge, who they say was endangered by the physical assault.
As the investigation continues, both parties remain locked in a war of words, with Gandhi calling for the BJP to take responsibility and Congress accusing the ruling party of instigating violence.
