MLAs thrash cop in Vidhan Bhavan

Might is always right for some Maharashtra MLAs. And if need be, they will go to any length to prove it — even if it comes to thrashing a police officer for doing his duty.

A couple of MLAs bashed up a police sub inspector on the first floor corridor of the Vidhan Bhavan on Tuesday. Their grouse: how dare PSI Sachin Suryavanshi pull up Nallasopara MLA Kshitij Thakur for speeding on the Bandra Worli Sea Link on Monday.

MLA Ram Kadam of the MNS led the pack of attackers. He, of course, believes he has done no wrong. For Suryavanshi, he says, landed the first blow.

And worse, the officer behaved “badly” with Thakur not only on the sea link but also in the Vidhan Bhavan on Tuesday, Kadam said.

But before taking matters into their own hands, Thakur, son of former MLA and Virar strongman Hitendra Thakur, exercised his legislative right and moved a breach of privilege motion in the assembly against Suryavanshi for “misbehaving” with him. Thakur, who represents the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi, is also the youngest MLA at 30.

Thakur found support from like-minded legislators of the ruling as well as the opposition parties. They rushed to the well of the house and the proceedings had to be adjourned for 20 minutes at 12.20pm.

Minutes later, Thakur and other legislators, including Kadam, Rajan Salvi (Shiv Sena) and Pradeep Jaiswal (Independent), decided enough was enough and started chasing Suryavanshi, who was sitting in the gallery. The officer was heard pleading: “Mala maru naka ho (please do not beat me).”

But it mattered little to the MLAs who were bent on teaching Suryavanshi who the boss was. Jaikumar Rawal (BJP) asked him: “Kiti aamdar aahet re tuzhya khishyat? (how many MLAs do you claim to have in your pocket?).”

A few Vidhan Bhavan staff, along with former minister Subhash Zanak and Partur MLA Suresh Jethalia, acted sensibly and rescued the officer.

A bruised Suryavanshi was taken to legislature chief security officer Shivaji Bodkhe’s cabin where he was given first aid. Home minister RR Patil, leaders of the opposition Eknath Khadse and Vinod Tawade and senior IPS officers called on Suryavanshi.

Later, IPS officers including DGP Sanjeev Dayal, met chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and others. Legislators too met Chavan and speaker Dilip Valse Patil.

Suryavanshi was later shifted out of Vidhan Bhavan on a stretcher and taken to St George Hospital.

After the incident, came the lip service of politicians. Valse Patil admitted before the house that he was upset and apologized to the people of Maharashtra, the police, and legislators. He said he would not spare the guilty regardless of whether they were police officers or legislators.

Later, CM Chavan termed the incident “reprehensible”. “In a democracy, one can have different opinions but no one has the right to take the law in their hands,” he said.

And what about the mighty Thakur?

Well, he ruled out any question of apologising because he “did not commit any mistake”. The officer, said Thakur, used foul language and showed disrespect to elected representatives.

And the officer Suryavanshi? Too shocked to speak, he let his cousin Mohan do the talking. “He has been severely hurt on the face, neck, and stomach. He has bruises all over his body. We have filed a complaint and are expecting that justice will be done,” he said.

@DNA