Maharashtra: MLA Bacchu Kadu arrested for slapping bureaucrat

Mumbai: The police on Wednesday arrested independent legislator from Maharashtra Bacchu Kadu, who had allegedly slapped a bureaucrat on Tuesday after a scuffle over allowing lawmakers' associate to live in government quarters.

"We have arrested MLA Bacchu Kadu and will produce him in court tomorrow," said Mumbai DCP Manoj Sharma.

Maharashtra government employees working at the Mantralaya, the state secretariat, on Wednesday called off their protest against the alleged assault on an official by an Independent MLA.

The Mantralaya employees had gone on a flash strike on Tuesday to protest against the incident and demand action against the legislator. The protest continued on Wednesday, with the staff assembling in Mantralaya, seeking action against Achalapur MLA Bachchu Kadu, against whom an FIR has been lodged.

However, in the evening, the Mantralaya staff decided to call off the protest. The agitation has been put on hold till April 4.

"It is not alright to hold people of the state to ransom because of one MLA," Mantralaya employees union president Ramchandra Dhanawade said.

Earlier, Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse announced an enquiry by the Chief Secretary into the alleged assault.

"The chief secretary has been asked to submit a report and we shall take action based on the recommendations," he said.

Kadu, along with a clerk Ashok Jadhav, hag gone to meet B R Gavit, Deputy Secretary, General Administration Department on Tuesday. He was insisting that Jadhav be allowed to continue to stay in the government quarters and be alloted additional accommodation, in violation of norms, a Mantralaya official said.

The officer apparently refused to entertain his demand. An infuriated Kadu allegedly abused and hit him hard on the head, the Mantralaya official said. Reacting to the episode, Kadu told reporters that the government was supporting an officer who harassed people.

"Instead of taking action against me, the government should act against such officers. What I did is for the common people," he said.

A three-term MLA from Achalpur in Amravati district, Kadu, back in 2009 had also assaulted a clerk in Mantralaya after he had refused to release an order. Making a statement in the Assembly today, Kadu denied having assaulted the official.

"I did not beat him. Had I beaten him, I would have said so. If such false allegations are being levelled, should we (legislators) stop going to Mantralaya," he asked.

"Jadhav wanted to continue living in the quarters for two more years on medical grounds. I was trying to explain this to him (Gavit)," Kadu said.

"Organised 'dadagiri' (intimidation) (by government officials) should stop," Kadu said, making a reference to the protest by the Mantralaya staff over the incident.

Independent MLA from Achalpur Bacchu Kadu on Tuesday allegedly slapped B R Gavit, deputy secretary, General Administration Department (GAD) over latter not allowing his associate to live in government quarters.

Kadu's associate who is currently living in government quarters has been allotted a flat under the 10% scheme. A complaint was registered with GAD in this connection.

Kadu went to Gavit on behalf of his associate who wants to hold on to government accommodation. However, Gavit informed him that it was not possible as he already had a flat under the 10% scheme. The discussion between the two soared up and infuriated by Gavit's adamant stand Kadu slapped him.