Congress MLA detained at PWD rest house

Mukesh Tandon

Panipat, January 27

A high-profile drama was witnessed in Panipat on Friday evening when the police detained Congress MLA Neeraj Sharma at the PWD rest house to stop him from participating in Governor’s “At home” programme held at the IOCL refinery.

Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda reached the rest house and took the MLA along with him in his own vehicle.

As per available information, NIT Faridabad MLA Neeraj Sharma came to Panipat to attend the “At home” programme of Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya held at the IOCL refinery on Friday evening.

All MLAs and prominent people were invited in the programme. The Panipat police stopped Sharma at the rest house as he was wearing a shroud. Hooda talked to SP Ajit Singh Shekhawat on cellphone before taking the MLA along with him.

The police did not allow Sharma to participate in the programme after which he came back at the rest house. Sharma in a media byte alleged that the police pushed, stopped and detained him at the rest house. Sharma said had former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda not come, he could not be saved from the police. “The police tried to snatch my mobile phone and didn’t allow my relatives to meet me during the illegal detention at the rest house,” said Sharma.

He said “Jai Siya Ram”, a “chaupai of Ramayana”, a Swastika, a religious symbol, and problems of his constituency were printed on his dress.

Hooda said Sharma was an MLA and he didn’t commit any crime. He was detained illegally, said Hooda.

SP Ajit Singh Shekhawat said MLA Neeraj Sharma was not arrested. He was only stopped from participating in the official programme of the Haryana Governor due to his attire, the SP said.

The MLA was stopped at the entry gate of the refinery and asked to come in a formal attire as it was Haryana Governor’s formal function, the SP said.