Minister jailed in manhandling case, later released on bail

Confirming the decision, the district government counsel (criminal) of Mirzapur, Mohan Lal Dubey, said: “CJM Rajesh Bhardwaj held him guilty under three sections — 353 (assault to deter a public servant from discharge of duty), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code — besides slapping fines. The maximum quantum of punishment under Section 353 could be seven years. However, following a brief argument on quantum of punishment, the court sentenced him to three-years imprisonment. He was sentenced to two-years rigorous imprisonment under the other two sections.”

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Chaurasia was fined Rs 20,000 each for offences under sections 504 and 506, while a fine of Rs 5,000 was slapped against him under Section 353 of the IPC.

Dubey added: “He has now obtained a bail after furnishing two bonds of Rs 20,000 each to be able to appeal before the appellate court and will have to produce the same before the CJM court within a stipulated period of time.”

Incidentally, Chaurasia’s fate as MLA from Mirzapur is now on thin ice, as according to the new rules, a public representative cannot continue to be a Member of Legislature if he is convicted and sentenced for more than two years.

When contacted, Chaurasia said: “My counsel will be taking all legal steps in this regard, pertaining to appeal and other things.” Asked about his post now being under jeopardy, Chaurasia said: “I do not know about these things. My lawyers are working on the issue.”

The complainant in this case, Krishna Dev Tripathi, had alleged that on October 19, 1995, when he had gone to deliver a registered letter in Ratanganj Mohalla under the City Kotwali police station area of Mirzapur, Chaurasia had manhandled him, threatened him and also snatched a bundle of documents. The case continued for around 20 years before the decision was announced.

Chaurasia was the party’s face in Varanasi contesting against Narendra Modi in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Following the bail, Chaurasia left the court without speaking to the media.