BJP legislator booked for creating ruckus on polling day in Jodhpur

THE MLA FORCIBLY ENTERED THE POLLING BOOTH AND MISBEHAVED WITH PRESIDING OFFICER, SAY COPS

A BJP MLA from Shergarh in Jodhpur was booked based on a complaint from a Border Security Force sub-inspector for allegedly creating ruckus during second phase of Lok Sabha elections, on April 26, said officials on Sunday.

Based on the report filed by the BSF sub-inspector Vikas Kumar stationed at the polling booth, a case was registered against MLA Babu Singh Rathore at Chamu police station in Jodhpur Rural, said a senior police officer.

The officer said the report was filed by the sub-inspector earlier but a case was filed against the MLA on April 1. Kumar reported that on the day of voting, when a few voters arrived at the polling booth in Nathdau village without photo identification, they were instructed to bring their IDs. “Later, MLA Rathore along with a group of 10 to 12 people arrived on the spot. Despite efforts by the soldiers to stop them, Rathore and his associates behaved aggressively,” said the report.

Kumar alleged that Rathore’s group “approached him aggressively, as if they intended to attack”. Later, Rathore forcibly entered the polling booth and misbehaved with the presiding officer, Balu Singh Khinchi, attempting to physically harm him, he said. Deputy superintendent of police Gajendra Singh later intervened and removed Rathore from the scene. Kumar’s report described Rathore’s behaviour as “disrespectful”.

A video of the incident was also shared on social media showing Rathore arguing with the BSF jawan. Later, Rathore had publicly apologized, stating that “he regretted if any distress was caused by his behaviour”.

Police have registered a case against Rathore under Sections 352 (use of criminal force), 504 (intentional provocation), 506 (criminal intimidation), 186 (obstruction of public servant), 189 (threat of injury to public servant), 171 C (undue influence at elections), and 171 F of the Indian Penal Code, as well as Section 132 (misconduct at polling station) of the Representation of the People Act.

In a related development, a female voter also filed a case under Section 509 (intentional insult to modesty of a woman) of the IPC against sub-inspector Vikas Kumar and presiding officer Balu Singh Khinchi. Both cases are being investigated by the CID (CB). An attempt was made to contact MLA Rathore, but he could not be reached. However, following the incident, he alleged that the BSF jawan was drunk and had pointed a gun at him.