NCP MLA from Karjat in Maharashtra Suresh Lad, who had allegedly slapped a senior government officer in a meeting held recently, was today arrested by police and produced before a court which granted him bail.
A fortnight ago, the MLA was caught on camera slapping Deputy Collector (land acquisition) Abhay Kalgudkar after a disagreement over payment of compensation at a meeting called by the latter in Karjat.
Judicial Magistrate First Class at Karjat S B Yadav released the MLA on bail on condition that he would refrain from interfering in the investigation, his lawyer Aniket Nikam told PTI.
Nikam argued that the alleged incident occurred on August 11 but the FIR was lodged on August 17.
Thereafter the investigating agency issued notice to the MLA and he appeared before the police and cooperated in the probe. As he was arrested today, his custodial interrogation was not needed now, Nikam contended.
The incident had allegedly occurred during a meeting called by Kalgudkar to settle disputes about land acquisition for an oil pipeline.
Later, the aggrieved officer lodged a complaint with Palghar District Collector over the alleged assault by the MLA.
( Source – PTI )
