Maha MLAs thrash cop for fining lawmaker's driver

A Mumbai traffic police officer was beaten up by a group of MLAs right outside the Maharashtra assembly yesterday, a day after he fined a legislator’s driver Rs. 700 for speeding. HT reports.

A Mumbai traffic police officer was beaten up by a group of MLAs right outside the Maharashtra assembly on Tuesday, a day after he fined a legislator’s driver Rs. 700 for speeding.

The MLAs assaulted sub-inspector Sachin Suryavanshi for allegedly using foul language when they asked him why he had misbehaved with fellow legislator Kshitij Thakur on Monday.

Thakur, a Bahujan Vikas Aghadi MLA, was in his car when it was stopped for speeding at 101 kmph on the Bandra Worli Sealink where the permissible limit is 50 kmph.

Thakur moved a breach of privilege notice against Suryavanshi in the assembly.

Suryavanshi, who went to the assembly — to apologise — was cornered by Thakur and legislators Ram Kadam (MNS), Pradeep Jaiswal (independent), Jaikumar Rawal (BJP), Rajan Salvi (Shiv Sena) and others when he came out.

Thakur and Kadam denied beating up Suryavanshi.

Following the assault, speaker Dilip Walse-Patil apologised to the people of Maharashtra, police force and the legislature, and promised a probe.

Sources said the legislators could be suspended from the assembly on Wednesday.