4 aides of BJP MLA held for ‘assault’ on edu director & ‘vandalism’

Dehradun: Four key aides of BJP MLA Umesh Sharma Kau, including a history-sheeter, were arrested on Monday on charges of "assaulting" director of elementary education Ajay Kumar Naudiyal and "vandalising" his office in Raipur.Police said the accused were identified through eyewitness accounts and video footage. The arrested individuals -- Arvind Pundir alias Kalli, Laxman Navani, Rakesh Thapliyal and Akshay Rana -- were produced before a court and sent to jail.Based on a written complaint filed by Naudiyal, supported by medical reports, a case was registered naming the MLA under relevant provisions of the BNS, including charges of "obstructing a public servant from discharging official duties, rioting, causing damage to property, criminal intimidation and abuse". A cross FIR was also lodged on the complaint of a security personnel deployed with the MLA, officials said.The incident occurred on Feb 21 at the directorate office in Nanurkheda when the MLA visited the premises along with his supporters to discuss a matter with Naudiyal. During the interaction, a dispute allegedly escalated, after which some individuals created a ruckus inside the office, threw chairs and other furniture and damaged govt property. Amid the chaos, Naudiyal sustained an injury near his left eye.