Speaker orders suspension of cop who ‘abused’ Bhujbal

The Maharashtra Assembly Speaker on Wednesday ordered suspension of a police officer for allegedly hurling abuse at NCP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal in his absence.

Opposition alleged that it was a breach of privilege, as Bhujbal is an MLA, while the ruling ally Shiv Sena demanded action in similar cases where its own MLAs were allegedly ill-treated by government officials.

Raising the issue, NCP’s Jitendra Awhad said that subinspector Mahaveer Jadhav of Srigonda police station in Ahmednagar district barged into the house of a local person on June 8, and abused his family.

Jadhav also hurled abuse at Bhujbal, though the NCP leader had no connection whatsoever with the family, Awhad alleged.

“I am providing the entire video clip (of the incident)... It is a deliberate attempt to insult the members of the House and a breach of their privilege,” Awhad said.

Bhujbal himself too spoke on the incident. “I was abused despite having never visited that village. I do not have any connection with the family and the police official,” he told the House.

Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil (Congress) and NCP leader Ajit Pawar said if no action was taken in this case, it would embolden officials to misbehave with MLAs.

“We represent and work for people. Yet there are cases when officials ill-treat people’s representatives,” VikhePatil said.

We represent and work for people. Yet there are cases when officials ill-treat people’s representatives –RADHAKRISHNA VIKHE-PATIL Leader of Opposition