6 days Ago By TOI News Desk
NEW DELHI: Independent MLA candidate Naresh Meena , who was arrested for slapping a sub-divisional magistrate , has been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days, according to an official. Police presented Meena virtually before a court in Niwai of Tonk district on Friday, citing concerns over law and order. "The court gave directions to produce Naresh Meena through video conference after police cited law and order issue.
During the hearing, the court sent Meena to judicial custody for 14 days," Sitaram Sharma, the Independent candidate's legal representative, told news agency PTI. The police reported that Meena faces four criminal charges, which include interfering with public works and causing damage to government property. Earlier on Thursday Rajasthan Police arrested Meena for allegedly slapping a sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) at a polling station during the Deoli-Uniara assembly constituency by-elections in Tonk district on Wednesday.
Tensions escalated in the district late Wednesday evening when law enforcement attempted to take Meena into custody following his alleged assault on SDM Amit Chaudhary. The incident was recorded on video, showing Meena striking the SDM outside a polling station where Chaudhary was conducting election duties. During the polling process at Samraota area, Meena tried to force his way into the polling station.
This led to a physical altercation when police and administrative officials intervened to stop him. According to Meena, the SDM had secretly arranged for three voters to cast their votes and that his election symbol displayed on the EVM was not clearly visible, causing confusion amongst his supporters during voting. In response to the arrest, Meena's supporters initiated a protest by setting ablaze the state highway near Samravata village.
Authorities detained approximately 60 people following episodes of civil disturbance, stone-throwing and arson in the area. Meena comes from a politically active family. His father, Kalyan Singh, served as village sarpanch for three decades, whilst his mother currently holds the same position in Baran district.
His spouse Sunita serves as a Zila Parishad member, and his younger brother's wife holds a position in the Panchayat Samiti. Although previously affiliated with the Congress party for an extended period, Meena had frequently opposed the party when denied election tickets. Tonk's Superintendent of Police Vikas Sangwan said that there is a possibility that Meena's 14-day judicial custody can be extended further.
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