'Pawar attacker has a history of violence'

While Harvinder's Singh's attack on Union Agricuture minister Sharad Pawar sent shock waves across the country, the former's neighbours of the accused said it was nothing new and he has has a history of violence.

Reportedly, he often picks up arguments in his neighbourhood in Vijay Vihar area. It was, however, the first time an FIR was lodged against him. Singh was taken to the Connaught Place police station, after he assaulted the senior politician.

Corruption-hit?
Pawar had come for the function at Parliament Street, where the accused attacked him all of a sudden. Singh slapped hard on Pawar's cheek, shouting he is corrupt. He tried to hit him again but security guards intervened and caught hold of him.

Singh then took out his Kirpan but was overpowered by the guards, who thrashed him to bring him under control. Pawar left the auditorium immediately after the incident. Meanwhile, Singh tried to slit his wrist but was restrained by guards.

He was taken to Connaught Place police station, where he was thoroughly interrogated by senior police officers to ascertain his intentions behind the attack and to check his antecedents. "During interrogation, he said he wanted to teach corrupt leaders a lesson by attacking them," said the police.

Delhi police has lodged an FIR against him under Sections 309 (attempt to commit suicide), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servants from discharge of his duty) and 506 (threatening someone of dire consequences) of Indian Penal Code (IPC). "The accused has been arrested and sent to jail," said a police officer.

Past imperfect
On 19 November, Harvinder Singh created ruckus outside Rohini court when he attacked Telecom Minister Sukh Ram. He was caught by police personnel but no FIR was lodged against him and he was set free after interrogation. DCP (Outer) BS Jaiswal, however, claimed Singh did not attack Sukh Ram. "He was only shouting outside the court. He did not hit Sukh Ram. He did not commit any offence," said the DCP.

He is psychotic, say neighbours
At the same time, Singh's neighbours are fed up of his behaviour. They said though he rarely speaks to them, his behaviour in general is psychotic. Singh has been living in a rented accommodation along with his two brothers and parents in A Block in Vijay Vihar area for the last one year. Neighbours said Singh claims he has two auto-rickshaws. "He loves going to gym and exercises daily. Sometimes when he speaks to us, he says he will kill the corrupt leader. Actually, he is mentally disturbed," said Rakesh Sharma, a neighbour. "Recently, two boys were quarrelling in the street. Singh intervened in the matter but instead of pacifying them, he thrashed the boys," said a person, who did not wish to be named. Singh's family members were not available to speak to the media. Neighbours said a few days ago, the wife of Singh's elder brother delivered a baby and the family was busy with that.