Journalism of Courage
Rajasthan protest: 3 detained in Gujarat for attacking cop with sword
According to the police, the three accused were allegedly involved in striking a sword at the neck of Rajasthan police constable Sandeep Chaudhary in Bhim during a protest demonstration against the terror killing of a Hindu tailor by two accused persons in Udaipur.
A joint team of the Rajasthan Police and the Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) detained three persons from Vadodara on Friday, including one who allegedly struck a police constable on the neck with a sword during protests in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan last month.
You need a subscription to read this story. Get full access to Express Budget coverage, now with monthly plan too
Already a subscriber? Sign In
This content is exclusive for our subscribers.
Subscribe to get unlimited access to The Indian Express exclusive and premium stories.
The main accused has been identified as Balveer, while the other two have been identified as Shravan Singh and Mahaveer. All are residents of Rajsamand district.
The incident took place during protests against the killing of a tailor, Kanhaiya Lal Teli, in Udaipur on June 28. A Rajasthan Police constable, Sandeep Chaudhary, suffered serious injuries after he was reportedly struck on the neck by a sword during protests in Bhim town of Rajsamand district on June 29.
“Some anti-social elements had entered Bhim, armed with swords, petrol bottles and sticks. The police and the administration chased them away but one person in the mob, identified as Balveer, attacked Sandeep on the neck with a sword, with the intention to kill him,” said Gajendra Singh, SHO, Bhim police station.
Subscriber Only Stories
“Balveer is an active member of ‘Cobra gang’ and has multiple cases against him, including for assault and issuing threats on social media; Mahaveer is known to supply weapons,” said Singh.
Rajsamand Superintendent of Police Sudheer Choudhary said the FIR against the accused has been filed under various IPC sections including Sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty). So far, 30 people have been arrested or detained in connection with the violence in Bhim, he said.
“Constable Chaudhary was attacked with a sword and he remains in critical condition in a hospital in Ajmer. The three accused were held from Limda in Waghodia of Vadodara, based on specific inputs,” said a Gujarat ATS official.
Advertisement
The Rajasthan Police said the accused were followed for around 200 km before they were nabbed, with the coordination and help of the Gujarat ATS and Rajasthan Police Cyber Cell.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had met the constable at the Ajmer hospital on June 30, and announced an assistance of Rs 10 lakh and a promotion for him.