BJP MP, supporters booked for attacking police

GORAKHPUR - A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and around 60 of his supporters were Saturday booked for attacking police and freeing three men from custody in this Uttar Pradesh city, officials said.

Kamlesh Paswan, who represents Bansgaon constituency in Gorakhpur district, and his supporters attacked the police party late Friday near the Gulharia Bazar and freed three men held for drunk driving and creating nuisance on the New Year Eve.

“The MP and several of his supporters intercepted us and attacked our vehicle to free the three men, who probably had some relations with a close aide of the parliamentarian,” police inspector P.K. Singh told reporters in the city, some 300 km from Lucknow.

“Later, assisted by the force of various police stations, we raided the MP’s house, but could not find him or any of his supporters involved in the attack,” he added.

According to police, Paswan has been booked under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 506 (criminal intimidation), 504 (intent to provoke breach of peace), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 332 (causing hurt to deter public servant from performing duty).

Police are yet to make any arrest in the case.