Man accused of slapping BJP MP arrested

Ram Labadiya, who had allegedly slapped BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Shankar Vegad yesterday, has been arrested today in an old case of assaulting a lawyer outside a local court in Dhrangadhra taluka of Surendranagar district two weeks back, said police.
After his arrest today, Surendranagar city police lodged an FIR against Labadiya for allegedly attacking Vegad at a mass wedding ceremony of Bharwad community in the district yesterday.
According to police, Labadiya is having a chequered history as he is facing at least 15 such cases of assault.
"We have arrested Labadiya today in a case of assaulting a lawyer outside Dhrangadhra taluka court two weeks back. He originally hails from Than taluka and currently lives in Surendranagar. Labadiya is facing 15 such cases of assault," said Deputy Superintendent of Police, Dhrangadhra, M R Sharma.

Upon his arrest today, 'B' Division police of Surendranagar city lodged an FIR against Labadiya for attacking Vegad.
In the FIR, it is mentioned that Labadiya slapped Vegad when the Rajya Sabha MP was addressing people at a mass wedding ceremony at Surendranagar yesterday, said Police Sub- Inspector of 'B' Division, D J Vaghela.

"As Vegad refused to file a complaint, we have lodged a complaint from our side against Labadiya, who allegedly slapped the MP when he was addressing a gathering of Bharwad community. We will take his custody from Dhrangadhra police soon," said Vaghela.
Ahead of his arrest, Labadiya, who belongs to Bharwad community, told mediapersons that he slapped Vegad out of anger.

"I was upset because Vegad or any other political leader did nothing for Bharwad community. They only do lip service instead of doing something concrete" Vegad told media persons.