Video: NCP MLA slaps deputy collector, denies it after video goes viral

After the video showing NCP MLA from Karjat allegedly slapping a deputy collector in Maharashtra’s Raigad district went viral on social media, the legislator still maintains that he never assaulted the official.

In the video, Suresh Lad, a lawmaker of politician Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was caught allegedly slapping Deputy Collector (land acquisition) Abhay Kargutkar over a disagreement pertaining to compensation to farmers for land acquisition.

During the argument, the lawmaker was seen grabbing Kargutkar and another officer by their shirts and then slapping the Deputy Collector.

The incident took place last Thursday (August 11) during a meeting called by Kargutkar to settle disputes about land acquisition for an oil pipeline. Lad had reportedly gone along with a group of farmers as one of the owners to be compensated for the land acquisition.

Following the incident, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik told PTI that the MLA has denied slapping the official. “Why is the official silent? Why hasn’t he lodged any police complaint, if he was indeed assaulted,” Malik said.

Another NCP leader said that contrary to what is being reported, the incident did not take place inside a government office. The incident actually transpired at the premises of a leading corporate house. “Maybe that’s why the official, who was acting as an agent of that corporate, is keeping mum,” he said.

Meanwhile, an official said that Kargutkar has lodged a complaint with Palghar District Collector over the alleged assault by NCP MLA. In a letter to the Collector, Kargutkar has said he was assaulted by Lad.