M.P. Minister announces cop’s suspension after Congress MLA’s emotional plea over ‘fake case’

Madhya Pradesh Minister of State for Public Health and Medical Education Narendra Shivaji Patel.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Madhya Pradesh Minister of State for Public Health and Medical Education Narendra Shivaji Patel announced the suspension of a police officer in the State Assembly in on Friday after an emotional appeal from a Congress MLA from Rewa regarding alleged police harassment and a “false” criminal case against him and his son. 

During the question hour in the ongoing Budget session of the Assembly, Abhay Mishra, Opposition MLA from Semariya in Rewa district, alleged that the “false FIR” had been filed against him and his son Vibhuti Narayan Mishra in the Chorhata police station following a road accident in 2022 as he pleaded for action against the concerned police officers.

Claiming to resort to “drastic steps” if his demands were not met, Mr. Mishra also said that he would fold his hands and fall at Mr. Patel’s feet. 

Mr. Patel, authorised to answer on behalf of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav who holds the Home portfolio, initially suggested to resolve the matter more discreetly and offered to transfer the station in-charge out of the district but later assured of his suspension and a high-level inquiry after a brief visibly emotional exchange with with Mr. Mishra. 

Various other Congress legislators, including Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar, his deputy Hemant Katare and former Minister Ajay Singh, also joined Mr. Mishra’s voice alleging police harassment across the State. 

“I am falling at your feet with folded hands, please give justice, please save the respect the MLAs. Why are you embarrassing us? We will feel ashamed if we come here. Everyone is in the same situation. Your party members are not able to speak, I am able to speak,” Mr. Mishra said. 

While the Minister pledged that no injustice will be allowed in the State, he also said that the government also needs to uphold the confidence of the police, referring to the recent incident in Mauganj district where a personnel was killed in an attack by a group of tribals. 

However, Mr. Mishra claimed that the Mauganj violence would not have taken place had the authorities acted in time. 

“Such a thing is happening with an MLA and you are boosting the [police’s] morale. Mr. Speaker, my child can take his life. My child can kill himself in a false case. That is acceptable to you,” he said. 

Assistant sub-inspector Ramcharan Gautam was killed on March 15 in a village in Mauganj after a police team was allegedly attacked when they had gone to rescue a man abducted by some tribal men and was eventually killed.