In connection with the physical assault of Gadarpur Naib Tehsildar Sher Singh allegedly by BJP MlA Arvind Pandey and his dozens of followers in Udham Singh Nagar on August 25, the police conducted raids at various places to nab MlA Pandey on Saturday, but MlA Pandey is still elusive. The MlA has gone underground since the time a case was registered against him along with his dozen followers in Gadarpur police station, said Manish Upadhyay, Gardarpur police station in-charge.
Police said the fracas happened after Sher Singh had reached a disputed piece of land measuring around two acres in Gadarpur to broker a solution among two brothers who are fighting over the possession of the land. The MlA also allegedly intimidated several government officers in Bajpur area, warning them of dire consequences if he took any step against him. Around five cases have been registered against MlA in Bajpur police station, the police officer added.
Sher Singh registered a complaint and a case under sections 147/148/149/332/395 and sections under SC/ST Act was subsequently registered against MlA Pandey and around five of his named supporters and around a dozen supporters. However, police have failed to arrest any of the named supporters against whom case has been registered in the police station. Upadhyay said that teams have been formed and they are working hard to arrest the accused.
The police said that earlier, the MlA had announced that along with his supporters, he would surrender to police at Parade Ground, Udham Singh Nagar on Friday. Udham Singh Nagar SSP subsequently had deployed additional forces in Parade Ground and security was tightened there to ensure order, but MlA Pandey did not reach the place. Sources said MlA may approach the high court to secure bail to avoid arrest over the registered case.