BJYM LEADER LET OFF WITH FINE FOR FLOUTING COVID NORMS

A Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) leader in a Madhya Pradesh town was let off with a mere fine of

`10,000 without being booked under Epidemic Diseases Act for flouting Covid norms by the local administration, inviting criticism from Congress.

Katni district BJYM president Mridul Dwivedy was penalised `10,000 by the local tehsildar for celebrating his birthday in public by throwing Covid norms to wind.

The local administration swung into action when a video showing him celebrating his birthday near a temple in district headquarters of Katni along with his supporters surfaced and imposed the fine on him.

His supporters who attended the birthday bash were sent to home quarantine for a week.

In the video clip, the BJYM leader was seen cutting the birthday cake and celebrating the occasion along with his supporters who were seen without masks.

The BJYM leader has escaped provisions of Epidemic Diseases Act, violation of which is a punishable offence, for being leader of ruling BJP, MP Pradesh Congress Committee vice-president and former minister Raja Pateria alleged.

Such leniency by the local administration on the ruling party leader would hit the ongoing battle against the pandemic, he said.

“A person can be booked under section 188 IPC for causing danger to human beings, under Epidemic Diseases Act and is liable for six months in jail and a fine of

`1000”, noted lawyer in Gwalior bench of MP high court Pawan Raghuvamsi said.