Manhandling officials of Power department proved costly for some ruling party workers in Badaun as a case was registered against the local district BJP chief and his aides late on Mondaynight. They were accused of thrashing a senior Power department engineer and other employees for not withdrawing complaint of power theft. Badaun SSP Chandra Prakash said that an FIR against BJP district chief Harish Shakya and 15 supporters was registered at Civil lines police station late on Monday night. The BJP chief and his aides reportedly attacked executive engineer Vijendra Singh and other officials and also ransacked the office when the latter refused to withdraw cases of power theft lodged against Nathu Ram of Awas Vikas Colony. “When officials refused to withdraw the cases of power theft, the BJP leader and his aides assaulted engineer and Power department staff,” the complaint said. The SSP said that the FIR was registered after police probed the matter and found charges to be prima facie correct. The case was registered under different sections for obstructing a government official to perform his duty.

Meanwhile, superintendent engineer of Power department led a delegation to District Magistrate Dinesh Kumar Singh demanding action against BJP workers. They also threatened to go on an indefinite strike if action was not taken against the accused. Two months back, former BJP vice-president of Braj region Jitendra Kumar Saxena beat up Power department officials in Badaun while this month BJP leader Ashok Bharti thrashed a sub-inspector and a home guard inside Sadar Kotwali of the district. While investigations were on, no one was arrested till late Tuesdayevening.