Congress accuses BJP of shielding leader accused of assaulting woman

ISLAMABAD: The Indian National Congress on Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Madhya Pradesh of shielding a party leader accused of assaulting a woman, following the circulation of a video allegedly showing the incident.

In a post on X, the Congress said the incident took place in Nagod in Satna district and involved BJP mandal president Pulkit Tandon.

In its post, the Congress alleged that Tandon was seen in the video chasing and brutally beating a woman, even after she fell onto a pile of rods. 

The party claimed that he continued to thrash her mercilessly and later threatened the woman and her daughter to force a quiet settlement, allegedly saying that no one could take action against him. 

Opposition demands immediate arrest 

The Congress further alleged that local residents said Tandon claimed to be a close confidant of the Chief Minister and senior ministers, and described him as a source of terror in the area. 

The opposition party demanded his immediate arrest and strict action, accusing the BJP government of being indifferent to atrocities against women, Dalits and tribals.

Meanwhile, Indian media reported on Thursday that Tandon has been booked for allegedly assaulting a young woman and her mother following a late-night altercation in Satna district. 

The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday night at the warehouse of Tandon’s trading shop.

As per the complaint, the woman, who runs a beauty parlor, alleged she was called to the warehouse under the pretext of attending to a customer. 

She told police she received a phone call from RK Namdev, described as Tandon’s servant, who later connected her to Tandon. 

Assault and abuse 

The woman claimed that when she reached the warehouse, she found Tandon consuming alcohol. 

She alleged that when she tried to leave, Tandon grabbed her hand, pushed her to the ground, slapped and assaulted her, while verbally abusing her.

The woman’s mother and brother intervened, and the brother’s mobile phone was allegedly smashed when he attempted to record the incident.

Both women sustained injuries and were hospitalized. 

CCTV footage of the incident later surfaced and went viral. 

Police registered an FIR under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. 

BJP has issued a notice to Tandon seeking an explanation, while police said further investigation is underway, the Indian media report said.