Palamu: Jharkhand Health Minister Ramchandra Chandravanshi was on Sunday caught on camera hitting a Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) leader Shambhunath Chandrawanshi in full public view. The body guards of the minister were further seen thrashing the RJD leader badly.
The minister had quit RJD and joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) before the assembly election in 2014.
In an exclusive conversation with Zee Media, victim Sambhunath Chandravanshi said, “I have lodged a complaint at Bishrampur police station regarding the matter.”
"An idol was unveiled at the two-day convention earlier today. I am RJD Garhwa district unit president of Chandravanshi Samaj. Jharkhand health minister had asked me to resign from the post as he wanted to appoint his son as the next head of the caste body. On my refusal the minister hit me and also abused me," he added.
The health minister, however, denied the allegation saying it was the "two elements" (the two men who filed the complaint) who disturbed the meeting.
“I have not committed any crime. Police can lodge complaint against you (reporter) as well. People are free to file a complaint. Will see what can be done in the case,” he told Zeenews.
"The two elements came around 9.30 am and said they will not allow holding of the function. My guards disbursed them," Chandravanshi added.
According to the complaint filed at Bishrampur police station, Sambhunath Chandravanshi and Ajay Verma, an office-bearer of Chandravanshi Samaj, alleged that the health minister slapped them at the All India Chandravanshi Samaj Convention held at Bishrampur in the district today.
According to media reports, the incident happened in Palamu district, where Jharkhand heath minister had gone to attend a function organised by the Chandravanshi Samaj. The current president of this body and a RJD minister Sambhunath Chandravanshi is a political rival of state heath minister.
Meanwhile, PTI quoted Deputy Superintendent of Police Hirda Lal Ravi as saying that the minister's guard Papu Kumar also filed a counter complaint against the two men. "Inquiry into the incident is on," Ravi added.
