Ex-Chhattisgarh CM’s son booked for rioting

At least 95 people have so far been arrested for rioting and violence, which broke out after a clash over the removal of religious flags from a thoroughfare

Updated on: Oct 9, 2021, 24:17:25 IST

By Ritesh Mishra, Raipur

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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Rajnandgaon Santosh Pandey and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh’s son, Abhishek Singh were on Friday booked for rioting and damage to property in connection with the communal violence in Kawardha town on Tuesday, a police officer said.

“Based on initial investigation, we have booked both Pandey and Singh for rioting and damage of property along with other leaders of Hindu outfits,” police superintendent Mohit Garg said. He added further probe is underway and added the First Information Report in the case has not been made public in view of the sensitivity of the matter.

Garg said both Pandey and Singh were present at a protest rally organised in the town which turned violent on Tuesday. He added the situation is under control now. Police said bikes were torched and some houses were also ransacked that prompted them to resort to a lathi charge and impose a curfew.

At least 95 people have so far been arrested for rioting and violence, which broke out after a clash over the removal of religious flags from a thoroughfare. Around a dozen of people including three policemen sustained minor injuries in the violence.

Pandey said he participated in the rally but was not in that mob which turned violent. “The charges against me are false... People in the rally got scattered and some miscreants entered the lanes where the violence took place,” said Pandey.

Singh was unavailable for comments.

Dharamlal Kaushik, the opposition leader in the state assembly, said the case against two BJP leaders reflects dictatorship and political vendetta. “The two leaders who were booked actually tried to contain the tension. The administration and police are responsible for Tuesday’s violence and now they are trying to put blame on the BJP leaders.”

Ruling Congress leader Sushil Anand Shukla said Pandey and Singh led the mob and instigated violence in the peaceful town. “I believe that both should be arrested.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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