HC pulls up Cong MP Radadia for brandishing gun

Porbandar Congress MP Vitthal Radadia, who brandished a gun at operators of a toll booth to avoid paying, was rapped by the Gujarat High Court.

Ahmedabad: Porbandar Congress MP Vitthal Radadia, who brandished a gun at operators of a toll booth to avoid paying, was on Tuesday rapped by the Gujarat High Court which said it was very unfortunate that a law maker behaves in such a way.

The High Court was hearing MP`s petition to quash the FIR filed against him by manager of the toll plaza Ajaysinh Thakore, where the MP had brandished his double-barrel shotgun in the wee hours of October 12.

"It is very unfortunate that a person with a special stature of MP, a law maker, behaves in such a way, publicly brandishing his gun," Justice RH Shukla said.

The court was reacting to the argument by Radadia`s lawyer that he was carrying a gun for self-defence and that he possessed a licence for it.

The court further said even licence to carry a gun did not mean he was free to threaten ordinary people. "Why not investigation be allowed that can give a message for such kind of behaviour?" it said.

Earlier, an advocate representing Thakore made a statement before the court that he would not like to press the FIR against Radadia.

However, the state government strongly opposed Radadia`s petition and submitted that even if the complainant is not pursuing the FIR, the state will do it as the action of the accused was "unbecoming" of a responsible public servant.

The court has kept further hearing on the case on November 5.
Radadia was caught on camera flashing his gun at the employees of toll booth on NH-8 near Karjan in Vadodara district after his driver was asked to show the MP`s I-card to waive of payment of toll tax.

An FIR had been filed against Radadia for giving life threats, rioting and under the Arms Act at Karjan police station.

Radadia, who is facing charges under different
provisions of IPC and Arms Act, has sought quashing of the FIR against him on the ground that the dispute in question has been amicably settled between the parties.

"I submit that when the dispute has been settled between the parties, no useful purpose would be served by directing me to go through the agony of facing the trial," said Radadia in his petition before the court.

In the FIR, the MP was charged with the offences punishable under sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 149 (rioting with deadly weapons), 504 (breach of peace) and 506(2) (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code(IPC) besides section 25(1)(b) of the Arms Act.

Radadia has also sought anticipatory bail from sessions court in Vadodara, which was rejected by the court. Following it, Radadia filed the petition seeking quashing of FIR against him.

PTI

Zee News App: Read latest news of India and world, bollywood news, business updates, cricket scores, etc. Download the Zee news app now to keep up with daily breaking news and live news event coverage.