Row over force-feeding IRCTC employee; PIL filed in Delhi HC

A PIL was today filed in the Delhi High Court seeking direction to Lok Sabha Speaker and the Chairman of Rajya Sabha to disqualify 11 Shiv Sena lawmakers for allegedly force-feeding a Ramadan-observing employee of IRCTC at new 'Maharashtra Sadan' here.
The plea, which is likely to come up for hearing on July 30, seeks de-recognition of Shiv Sena and also initiation of criminal case against the MPs including Sanjay Rout and Rajan Vichare, who represents Thane Lok Sabha seat.
It has been alleged that Vichare, irked over the poor quality of food, force-fed Arshad Zubair, Maharashtra Sadan catering supervisor, on July 17 before some television cameras.

The petition, filed by NGO Garib Nawaz Foundation through lawyer N K Jha, has also sought immediate arrest of the MPs for "provoking religious sentiments against the minority community".
"The action of the Shiv Sena MPs with the fasting Muslim supervisor was uncalled for and needed to be dealt with a strict action by party chief Udhav Thackeray," the PIL said.
"Forcefully shoving a 'chapati' by MPs was a cowardly act as they are representatives of the people and are elected by the people for their service and not for provoking religious sentiments," it said.
It also sought a direction to the Centre to order a high level probe into the incident by a special investigation team headed by a sitting High Court judge.