Aide alleges breach of protocol by cops

LUCKNOW: After Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the UP police of manhandling her, her aide filed a complaint with the CRPF against a state police official on Saturday.

The complaint was made to inspector general (IG), CRPF, Pradeep Kumar Singh.

“This morning at 8:45, CO Hazratganj Abhay Mishra, along with at least a dozen police personnel, entered the premises at which the protectee, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, is staying, without prior permission,” said Sandeep Kumar in the complaint.

He alleged, “Mishra then began a heated verbal confrontation with the CRPF personnel in charge of the protectee’s security, a mere five metres from the protectee’s room. He shouted at them and demanded information of the protectee’s schedule which has already been provided to the authorities yesterday.” Priyanka’s aide further alleged, “The UP police official threatened the CRPF personnel that he “will not provide any security cover” to the protectee and will not “allow” the protectee “to take even two steps out of the premises”.

The aide sought strict action by the Central Reserve Police Force, which is now handling the security of the Gandhi family after their Special Protection Group (SPG) cover was withdrawn recently.

Hazratganj circle officer Abhay Mishra said, “There was no breach of protocol. I was supposed to look after security arrangements as the protectee was in my area. I was enquiring about the schedule so that security arrangements could be made. Everything I did was as per the protocol.”