Telangana Rashtra Samithi MlA Shankar Naik was on Thursday arrested by the police for misbehaving with Mahabubabad district collector Preeti Meena. The arrest came a day after the MlA triggered a storm of controversy and protest by touching the hand of the collector and making nasty remarks.
According to eye witnesses at the programme in NTR stadium Mahabubabad when Naik touched her hand a furious collector asked him to behave properly. But instead of saying sorry the legislator made some remarks which offended her more.
The incident occurred during an official Function for launching the third phase of ‘Haritha Haram’ (tree plantation) program at Mehbubabad. Minister Chandulal and many other dignitaries were present in the function.
According the district SP N Koti Reddy a case was registered against the MlA on the complaint of the collector by the local police station. The case was booked under Section 353 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging her duties) and Section 354 (Assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty).
The MlA was arrested on Thursday but released on bail after one and a half hour on his personal surety. Offended by the behaviour of the legislator the collector walked out of the function and returned to her office. She was so shocked that she burst into tears before her staff.
She also informed the State Chief Secretary SP Singh about the incident and sought his help. She also lodged a complaint with the IAS Officers Association.
Meanwhile the incident and the scene of the collector crying left the staff and other government employees angry. A large group of employees wearing black badges held a demonstration demanding action against the MlA.
The issue created such a row that the Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had to personally intervene and order the MlA Shankar Naik to immediately tender an apology to the collector. He strongly admonished the MlA and warned him against such act which can tarnish the image of the party. According to an official press release of the CM's office the Chief Minister warned him that if he doesn't change his behaviour, he will be suspended from the party.
Chief Minister also asked the Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari to sort out the matter.
After getting a dressing down from the Chief Minister MlA came to the Collectors office and tendered an unconditional apology.
“She is like my sister. It happened unintentionally”, Shankar Naik said.
However the collector was not satisfied and she was likely to raise the issue with state IAS officers association.