BJP MLA snatches accused from custody

A BJP legislator and his supporters reportedly assaulted a senior police official and snatched an accused, against whom a non-bailable warrant (NBW) was issued by a local court, from his custody.

According to the police sources here, the accused Prashant Mishra, a student, was charged with attacking some teachers from Lucknow University a few days back and was absconding.

On Thursday evening, the university's police outpost in-charge Abhay Singh spotted Mishra during the 'ashti kalash yatra' of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and apprehended him.

BJP MLA Avinash Trivedi, who happened to be passing by with his supporters, intervened and reportedly assaulted the police official and helped Mishra escape from custody.

Mishra had attacked the teachers a few days ago after they refused to revoke his suspension.

A senior police official here said on Friday that a case would be lodged against the MLA and his supporters.

While the BJP leaders here sought to make light of the incident, the Opposition pounced on the party and demanded immediate arrest of the legislator.

Trivedi, however, has denied the allegations and said that he was not part of the crowd that assaulted the cop.

Earlier also, BJP MLAs and leaders have been involved in attacks on the police and exerting pressure on them to get their supporters released from their custody. A few days ago, some BJP workers here had roughed up a police officer during a protest demonstration.