Madhya Pradesh minister’s son booked for ‘assaulting’ restaurant owner and wife, 4 cops suspended for ‘manhandling’ him

Abhigyan, 30, is the son of Minister of State for Health Narendra Shivaji Patel.

ACP Habibganj Mayur Khandelwal told The Indian Express that a case has been filed against the minister’s son, Abhigyan Patel, based on the complaint of the hotel owner.

“The medical examination of the victims has been conducted. We have not arrested anybody and the Sections don’t warranty that. We are calling the people involved in this case for questioning,” he said.

According to police, Abhigyan, who was on a four-wheeler, had a tiff with a journalist riding a two-wheeler at a crossing in the city around 8 pm Saturday. The minister’s son allegedly assaulted the journalist, prompting the owner of a nearby restaurant and his wife to intervene. Abhigyan allegedly thrashed them also.

When the victims reached the Shahpura police station to file complaints, Abhigyan and his friends arrived there and allegedly kicked up a ruckus.

Abhigyan even allegedly misbehaved with the police when they were sending the couple and the journalist for a medical examination, the official said.

Khandelwal said,”Owners of a restaurant registered a complaint alleging that Abhigyan Patel along with few others had physically assaulted them.”

Bhopal city zone 1 Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Priyanka Shukla said the police registered a case against Abhigyan under IPC Sections 34 (common intention), 294 (abusing), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapon or means) and 506 (criminal intimidation).

“Abhigyan Patel and others also filed a complaint alleging that police personnel had physically assaulted them. Acting on the complaint, four police personnel have also been suspended and an investigation is on…More sections will be added (against Abhigyan Patel and others), if needed,” Khandelwal said.

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitendra (Jitu) Patwari alleged that anarchy prevails in the state and criticised the suspension of the policemen. “Discouraging police and supporting crime has been the intention of this government. The CM is also the Home Minister, and when the family of his ministers do something like this, he seems to be helpless. I will write a letter to the CM demanding justice for the victims,” he said, adding that the party will stage a protest in support of the suspended cops.

He also slammed the police for not registering a separate case against Abhigyan on the journalist’s complaint.

The BJP has refused to comment on the issue.