Maharashtra BJP legislator Ramchandra Avsare was caught on camera slapping a constable.
A BJP legislator in Maharashtra, Ramchandra Avsare, has been caught on camera slapping a police constable at the local police station in Bhandara city.
On Tuesday, Constable Raju Sathvane had stopped the legislator's motorcycle rally - the Tiranga Yatra -- as it was causing traffic snarls in Bhandara, more than 800 km from Mumbai.
The drivers of one of the cars following the motorcycle cavalcade, and the constable got into an argument and a scuffle broke out.
Later, when Mr Avsare reached the police station to speak to the constable, who had allegedly manhandled the driver, he slapped Mr Sathvane in front of other policemen.
Sources in the BJP say the police have demanded an explanation from the legislator. Assaulting a policeman on duty is a criminal offence. No case about this has yet been registered.
Mr Avasare's party has asked for an explanation too. State BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said, "We have seen reports and have asked the MLA to clarify his conduct".
This is the second such incident in a week. On Thursday, a legislator of Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party from Karjat, Suresh Lad, was caught on camera assaulting a government official.
Mr Lad was seen on camera holding Abhay Kalgudkar, the collector of Raigad district, by his collar and slapping him during a meeting with farmers about compensation for land.
After the video of the incident surfaced, Mr Lad called a press conference and denied the incident.
But a case has been registered against him for threatening violence and disturbing work process at a government office.
NCP lawmaker Suresh Lad was caught on camera slapping a government official.