Police arrested a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillor, also a restaurant owner, in Meerut on Saturday for allegedly beating up a policeman at his restaurant and misbehaving with a woman accompanying him. The incident occurred over an argument between the accused BJP councillor and the sub-inspector of police regarding delayed service at the restaurant, reported NDTV.

The incident

Reportedly, sub-inspector Sukhpal Singh Pawar from Mohiuddinpur had gone to the Black Pepper restaurant along with his female friend, who is an advocate. The police sub-inspector was not in a civil dress, rather, he was in his uniform. A verbal dispute broke out between restaurant staff and the woman over a delay in serving their order. The woman was accused by the restaurant staff of using foul language during the argument. Then the staff was allegedly ordered by the owner Munish Kumar to close the restaurant doors, following which the BJP councillor assaulted the sub-inspector.

Later, Kumar himself dialled the police helpline to lodge a complaint about his drunk guests who ‘misbehaved’ with the restaurant employees. Police intervened in the scene and questioned the sub-inspector. The woman complained that she had come to meet the police officer in connection with a case, and the restaurant staff roughed her up when she raised questions regarding the delay in service. Kumar was later arrested based on her complaint.

The councillor has been charged with assault

BJP councillor Munish Kumar and his staff at the restaurant, have been charged with a case of assault, reported Hindustan Times.

Incidentally, a viral CCTV footage of the incident shows Kumar slapping, pushing and shouting at the cop. The restaurant staff is spotted manhandling Pawar and dragging the sub-inspector to the floor. The video also shows the woman, appearing in an intoxicated state, hurling plates and cutlery at the restaurant staff when one of them snatched away from her mobile phone.

The staff members snatched away the police officer’s mobile phone when he tried to record the entire incident in it.

Response from the police

Daurala’s circle officer, Pankaj Singh, said that a departmental probe has been ordered against the sub-inspector. He has been sent to the police lines and in case he is found guilty, a case would be registered against him. Incidentally, medical tests have revealed alcohol in the blood of both Pawar and the woman.

Mukesh Singhal, BJP city president, said he was unaware of the incident due to his absence from Meerut at that time, but promised to inquire about it.

Also Read: My Story: “We Felt So Safe That Our Entire Fear, Apprehensions Were Gone, Kudos To UP Police”