Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati reprimanded the police on Wednesday for arresting four students who allegedly smeared colour on her poster during Holi.
The school has denied the charge against the students, who have been released on bail.
“Such mistakes are committed by children and there was no need for such harsh action, especially when the exam was under way,” Mayawati said at a press conference. “I have instructed the police to close the chapter.”
The CM said she called up the Lucknow police DIG Rajeev Krishna and sought an explanation as soon as she came to know about the incident.
The students of Uttar Pradesh Sainik School in the Sarojini Nagar locality were arrested on the eve of Holi on charges of damaging government property. The police said they caught the boys red-handed as they were throwing colour on Mayawati’s poster.
The incident took place when the Class X and Class XII boys were returning to their hostel after having tea late on February 28, police sources said.
The students were produced on March 2 before the juvenile board, which sent them to the government reformatory. They were allowed to appear for their board examination, which started on March 4.
{{/usCountry}}The students were produced on March 2 before the juvenile board, which sent them to the government reformatory. They were allowed to appear for their board examination, which started on March 4.
{{/usCountry}}Mayawati’s intervention sent Krishna into damage control mode. “The prosecution officer was directed to allow bail,” the DIG said. The students were granted bail on Wednesday.