New Delhi: NCP workers on Friday attempted to
assault a small-time transporter, who had slapped Union
Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, in a court complex when he
was taken for remand proceedings.
Around 25 NCP activists tried to assault 27-year-old
Harvinder Singh as he was being escorted to Patiala House
court lockup following his judicial custody remand till
December nine by Metropolitan Magistrate Jasjeet Kaur.
The police, however, managed to take him away him to the
lock-up and persuaded the NCP supporters, who shouting slogans
like `Sharad Pawar zindabad`, to leave the court premises.
Earlier, the activists shouted slogans and blocked
traffic at India Gate near Patiala House courts for about 10
minutes but were dispersed by police.
Singh has been charged with assaulting 71-year-old Pawar,
a public servant, and threatening him yesterday, besides
trying to kill himself by slashing his wrist with his small
`kirpan`.
He was remanded in judicial custody after police pleaded
that he has become "a threat to the society" and should not be
released.
Singh showed no remorse and shouted slogans like "Bhagat
Singh Zindabad, Rajguru Zindabad" in the courtroom. He also
said he would want to repeat what he did.
During the court proceedings, Singh refused to engage any
lawyer to defend himself saying he has no hope from the
government.
Singh had assaulted Pawar when he was coming out of a
literary function at a public auditorium on Parliament Street,
claiming to protest against price rise and corruption.
Singh had attacked former Telecom Minister Sukhram
outside a court here last Saturday after he was sentenced to
five years in jail in a 1996 corruption case.
Private security guards had overpowered Singh after he
had assaulted Pawar. He has been accused of offences which
were non-bailable, lawyers said.
PTI
