SDM faces angry mob

The SDM who allegedly roughed up a villager after a spat during a grievance redressal camp in Karauli district on Tuesday faced an angry mob trying to attack him, police said today.

Todabhim's Congress MLA Ghanshyam allegedly led a group of about 30 people yesterday to the camp organised in Dhawan area by sub divisional magistrate Jagdish Arya, police said.

The SDM and the other staff members bolting themselves in a hall when the group tried to "attack" them, officials said.

They saved their lives by closing the gates of the hall, Todabhim-Karauli district circle officer Prakash Chand said.

He said an FIR has been lodged naming four people, including the MLA, and mentioning the presence of 25-30 others.

The case lodged with Balghat police station has been handed over to the CID-CB as a legislator is involved, officials said.

On Tuesday, Arya had allegedly roughed up 32-year old villager Prakash, who was then arrested for creating a ruckus and misbehaving with him. He was released the next day.

The MLA said an agitation would be launched on Monday if no action is taken against the SDM by then.

Earlier, a dharna was held at the SDM's office in Todabhim.

It is very shameful that the officer manhandled the complainant," the MLA said, adding there was strong resentment against him in the area.

"But the officer is being patronised by the government, he added.

During a 'Nyay Aapke Dwar' (Justice at your doorstep) in Kamalpura village, the SDM had allegedly manhandled a villager when he complained about a road in his village.

After allegedly roughing him up, the officer handed him over to the police. A video of this later appeared on social media.

He was held under section 151 of CrPC which allows an arrest to prevent a cognizable offence.

Karauli district collector Abhimanyu Kumar alleged that Prakash had created a nuisance and misbehaved with the SDM.