Cop accuses Indore mayor’s son of assault, tearing uniform

Indore mayor Malini Gaud’s son Eklavya is in news for the last few days for allegedly misbehaving and roughing up a constable at a religious gathering.

Indore mayor Malini Gaud’s son Eklavya is in news for the last few days for allegedly misbehaving and roughing up a constable at a religious gathering.

Indore mayor’s son said he tried to prevent the constable from beating a minor tribal boy.

The constable, Vivek Pandey, alleged that besides beating him up, the mayor’s son also tore his uniform.

However, in a written complaint, Eklayva said he tried to prevent the constable from beating a minor tribal boy.

Annapurana police registered a case against some unidentified persons for assaulting the policeman.

“We are investigating the case and anyone found guilty will be behind bars,” DIG Santosh Kumar Singh told Hindustan Times.

Pandey told HT on Saturday that Eklayva and his friends reached Ranjeet Hanuman temple for a Bhandara and picked a fight with him and manhandled him.

Annapurna police registered a case against some unidentified persons on Tuesday following Pandey’s complaint.

Though Pandey mentioned Ekalavya’s name, senior police officials did not register a case against him, according to a section of media.

However, SP (west) Kalyan Chakrabarthy said, “This is not true. Pandey did not mention anybody’s name in the complaint. Hence, a case was registered against some unidentified persons. He mentioned the name of Rathore, not Eklavaya Gaud. Later, he accused Gaud and others of the scuffle.”

Eklayva said he lodged two complaints – one with the Annapurna police and another with the DIG – but no case was registered against Pandey.

According to sources, the minister-in-charge of Indore, Bhupendra Singh, held talks with the DIG on Saturday on the issue.

Mayor Malini Gaud, however, denied the allegations against her son. “The policeman was beaten up by locals for thrashing an innocent tribal boy near Ranjeet Hanuman temple. My son happened to be there at that time and was defending the boy. The matter was discussed with minister in-charge Bhupendra Singh and he assured that there will be a fair investigation.”

Eklavya told HT, “On Tuesday, I went to Ranjeet Hanuman Mandir to attend a Bhandara at around 11.30pm. There is a shoe stand outside the temple which is managed by a tribal boy. When I was coming out of it, I saw some people beating up the boy, alleging that he stole shoes.”

He further said four constables and Mandir Samiti office-bearers arrived at the spot and told everyone not to create a fuss over the issue, he said.

“Suddenly, a constable (Vivek Pandey) began to beat up the boy. Some office-bearers of the Mandir Samiti tried to prevent him; I, too, opposed the beating.”

He said he called up town inspector of Annapurna police station and informed him about the incident.

On Wednesday, the constable went to the temple and threatened the boy with dire consequences, so a complaint was made to the DIG, but no case was registered against Pandey, Eklavya added.