Delhi BJP MLA Gajendra Drall Booked for Alleged Assault on Dalit Leader

New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Tuesday registered an FIR on a complaint by a Dalit BJP mandal president against the party's Mundka MLA Gajendra Drall and other workers, alleging that they assaulted him at a party office and and hurled casteist slurs, an official said.

The case was registered at Kanjhawala Police Station after a complaint was filed by Kanjhawala Mandal president Sunil Kumar, who had earlier made the allegations against the MLA in a video following which the BJP issued notices to both on Tuesday seeking clarification.

The accused have been booked under sections 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 127(2) (wrongful confinement), 140(3) (kidnapping or abduction with intent to murder), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), police said.

Relevant provisions of the Arms Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act have also been invoked in the case, they said.

Sunil Kumar has alleged that he was assaulted and subjected to caste-based abuse at a BJP office. According to the complaint, Kumar was allegedly called to the office on Thursday evening on the pretext of discussing voter lists, where he was assaulted by Drall and others. He has also alleged that he was confined inside the office and beaten with pipes, sticks and belts.

Police said the allegations are being investigated and further legal action will be taken based on the findings of the probe.

In the video, Sunil Kumar claimed that he was held overnight at the office and that CCTV cameras were switched off during the alleged incident.

According to an official communication by Delhi BJP General Secretary and Office In-Charge Vishnu Mittal, Drall and Kanjhawala Mandal president Sunil Kumar have been directed to appear before the state disciplinary committee at the party headquarters on September 16 at 3 pm to present their side of the matter after the party took note of reports circulating in the media and on social media platforms.

The incident has triggered a sharp political backlash, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) demanding the MLA's sacking.

AAP MLA from Kondli, East Delhi, Kuldeep Kumar, alleged that a member of the Dalit community was subjected to brutal violence.

Asserting that his party would fight to ensure justice for the victim, Kuldeep Kumar added that the protest would continue until full accountability is established.