Wednesday, 03 May 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
CM takes cognisance, summons minister on Wednesday
Dehradun police will probe into the matter in which cabinet minister Prem Chand Agrawal was allegedly attacked by a man Surendra Singh Negi on a road in Rishikesh on Tuesday. A video went viral on Tuesday afternoon in which the minister, his personal security officer and some other men are seen in a violent altercation with a man in broad daylight on a congested road in Rishikesh. Some speculated that Agrawal’s behaviour was road rage and called the thrashing of the man by several men unfair. However, the minister later clarified that Negi allegedly started verbally abusing him and subsequently resorted to physical assault while he was sitting in his car as their vehicles were quite close on the road during a traffic jam. On being asked about the viral videos, he said, “I do not know what is depicted in the video but the truth is I was first verbally abused by the man who also subsequently attacked me while I was in my car,” said the minister.
Taking cognisance of the incident, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed the director general of police to ensure impartial inquiry in the matter. He has also summoned the minister on Wednesday.
Talking about the matter, the Dehradun senior superintendent of police Daleep Singh Kunwar told The Pioneer that the minister and Negi have stated they will register a complaint against each other in Rishikesh police station but no such report was filed till late in the evening. “We have received information that the minister and his security officer reacted in defence against Negi who, along with his friend, allegedly resorted to verbal abuse and physical assault on the road. However both parties have decided to register a complaint in the matter and the police will investigate the matter without being biased and will act accordingly,” added Kunwar.
