India
SDM slap row: Rajasthan independent candidate Naresh Meena sent to 14 days judicial custody | India News – Times of India
The police presented Meena virtually before a court in Niwai Tonk district Friday, citing public order concerns.
“The court directed to produce Naresh Meena through video conference after police raised a law and order issue. During the hearing, the court sent Meena to judicial custody for 14 days,” Sitaram Sharma, the legal representative of the independent candidate, told news agency PTI.
Police said Meena faces four criminal charges, including disrupting public works and causing damage to government property.
Earlier on Thursday Rajasthan Police arrested Meena for allegedly beating a Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) at a polling station during the Deoli-Uniara constituency by-election in Tonk District.
Tensions escalated in the district late on Wednesday night as police tried to take Meena into custody following his alleged attack on SDM Amit Chaudhary. The incident was captured on video, which showed Meena hitting the SDM outside a polling station where Chaudhary was performing election duties.
During the voting process in Samraota area, Meena tried to enter the polling station. This led to a physical altercation when police and administrative officials intervened to stop him.
According to Meena, the SDM had secretly allowed three voters to cast their votes and his election symbol on the EVM was not clearly visible, causing confusion among his supporters during the voting.
In response to the arrest, Meena’s supporters started a protest by setting fire to the national highway near Samravata village. Authorities have arrested around 60 people after bouts of civil unrest, stone throwing and arson in the area.
Meena comes from a politically active family. His father, Kalyan Singh, served as a village sarpanch for three decades, while his mother currently holds the same position in Baran district.
His wife Sunita is a member of Zila Parishad, and his younger brother’s wife holds a position in the Panchayat Samiti.
Though Meena had previously joined the Congress party for a longer period, she had often opposed the party when she was denied election tickets.
Tonks Superintendent of Police Vikas Sangwan said there is a possibility that Meena’s 14-day judicial custody could be further extended.
