MLA arrested for slapping senior government official, released on bail the same day

Nationalist Congress Party 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 magistrate court, which released him on bail.

The MLA was caught on camera slapping the deputy collector (land acquisition) Abhay Kalgutkar, after a disagreement over the payment of compensation at a meeting called by the latter a fortnight ago. Judicial magistrate S B Yadav released the MLA on bail on condition that he would restrain from interfering with the investigation.

Advocate Aniket Nikam appearing for Lad argued that the alleged incident occurred on August 11, but the FIR was lodged on August 17, thus there was a considerable delay. Furthermore, the investigating agency issued a notice to the MLA, and he appeared before police and cooperated with the probe. As he was arrested today, his custodial interrogation was not needed now.

The incident had occurred during a meeting called by Kalgutkar to settle disputes about land acquisition for oil pipeline. Later, the aggrieved officer lodged a complaint with Palghar District Collector over the alleged assault by the accused.