Charges framed against BJP MP in assault case

A Delhi court on Saturday framed charges against BJP MP Yogender Chandolia in a case of allegedly assaulting a public servant in 2020.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Neha Mittal at the Rouse Avenue Court ordered the framing of charges under Sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from duty) and 356 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). However, the court discharged Chandolia from the charge under Section 186 (obstructing a public servant in discharge of public functions).

Chandolia appeared in person before the court. He was represented by advocate Hari Om Gupta, along with advocates Sukrit and Anany. The court has listed the matter for prosecution evidence on May 22.

The case stems from an FIR lodged at the Prasad Nagar police station in 2020, where Chandolia was accused of preventing Head Constable Rajkumar from performing his duty, using force against him and allegedly snatching his mobile phone.

Chandolia’s legal team has challenged the charges. “There is no eyewitness, no medical record and no recovery of the phone,” said advocate Gupta. “We have filed a petition to quash the FIR, which is scheduled for hearing on May 19,” said Gupta.

The case was initially under trial at Tis Hazari Court, but was transferred to Rouse Avenue after Chandolia’s election to Parliament. Following a police investigation, a chargesheet was filed and the court took cognisance on October 17, 2023, issuing summons to the MP.

Delhi