BAREILLY: A was arrested and removed from his post after he forced a businessman to publicly apologise by rubbing his nose on the road in a car park outside a UP minister's office during a dispute over parking.
Vikul Chaprana, 28, who was district vice-president of BJP Kisan Morcha in Meerut, threatened embroidery manufacturer Satyam Rastogi, 30, claimed he was close to minister Somendra Tomar, and abused the victim while three police personnel stood by without intervening.
The incident, which took place in Meerut on Sunday, triggered widespread outrage after a video of the act surfaced online, prompting BJP to sack Chaprana.
The three police officers present at the scene were also attached to police lines. In the purported video, Rastogi is seen kneeling and rubbing his nose on the road while Chaprana claimed association with Tomar, who is minister of state for energy and a second-term MLA representing the Meerut South assembly constituency.
The confrontation happened outside Tomar's office under the jurisdiction of the Medical police station. Police sources told TOI that Rastogi and a friend, after having dinner at a restaurant, were sitting in their car when they asked Chaprana and his associates — who were parked nearby — to make way. Chaprana refused, claiming there was enough space for the vehicle to pass. A heated argument followed and Chaprana slapped Rastogi and forced him to apologise publicly.
Speaking to TOI, Rastogi said the incident left him traumatised. "I was mobbed and surrounded. I thought it was safer to apologise and leave rather than get beaten up. I did what felt right at that moment," he said. A sub-inspector and two constables were present at the time but did not intervene. Meerut SSP Dr Vipin Tada said, "The three have been shunted to police lines for their inaction and mishandling of the situation."
On Wednesday, BJP expelled Chaprana from his organisational role. He was arrested and later granted bail. Police lodged an FIR under BNS sections 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 352 (intentional insult), and 351(2) (criminal intimidation). Tomar, meanwhile, distanced himself from the controversy. "Police are trying to ascertain in what condition my name was taken. I have no links with the brawl," he said.
Krishna Chaudhary, a mass communication graduate, is a Senior Cor...
Read MoreKrishna Chaudhary, a mass communication graduate, is a Senior Correspondent covering the sugar belt of Western Uttar Pradesh. He loves reporting on crime, politics, and impactful human-interest stories.
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