The Crime Branch of the Delhi Police has taken over the investigation into the First Information Report (FIR) filed against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. The FIR accuses Gandhi of injuring two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs during a confrontation in the Parliament complex. This decision was confirmed by a senior officer on Friday.
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Gandhi has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 117 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 125 (act endangering life or personal safety), 131 (use of criminal force), 351 (criminal intimidation), and 3(5) (common intention). These charges stem from Thursday&rsquo;s intense altercation between Opposition and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) lawmakers at Parliament&rsquo;s steps.
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According to the officer, "We have transferred the case from the local police to the crime branch."
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The clash occurred amid protests by Opposition MPs against Union Home Minister Amit Shah&rsquo;s remarks about Dr. B.R. Ambedkar earlier in the week. During the heated exchange, BJP MPs Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput sustained injuries. Both leaders were hospitalized, with Sarangi, aged 69, alleging that Gandhi&rsquo;s actions directly caused his injuries.
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In his statement, Sarangi claimed, &ldquo;Rahul Gandhi pushed a member of Parliament who fell on me, causing me to fall down. I was standing near the stairs when this happened.&rdquo;
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The BJP has accused Gandhi of hooliganism and escalated the matter by filing a formal complaint. Former Union Minister Anurag Thakur, alongside MPs Bansuri Swaraj and Hemang Joshi, alleged in their complaint that Gandhi&rsquo;s actions amounted to &ldquo;attempt to murder.&rdquo;
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The Congress Party, however, dismissed the allegations, labeling the FIR a &ldquo;badge of honour&rdquo; and accusing the BJP of deploying diversionary tactics. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and other party leaders accused BJP MPs of initiating physical altercations.
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Kharge stated, &ldquo;BJP MPs physically manhandled Rahul Gandhi and myself, yet they are now accusing us of shoving them.&rdquo;
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A delegation of senior Congress MPs, including Digvijaya Singh, Mukul Wasnik, Rajiv Shukla, and Pramod Tiwari, filed a counter-complaint with the police. They also submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, urging an impartial inquiry into the incident.
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Another senior police officer confirmed that the complaints have been received and are under review. &ldquo;The case has been handed over to the Crime Branch to ensure a thorough investigation,&rdquo; the officer told the media.
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This high-profile case, involving prominent political figures, underscores the escalating tensions between the BJP-led NDA and the Opposition Congress. The fallout from this incident is expected to have significant political ramifications in the coming days.
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Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi speaking to BJP MPs

Delhi Police's Crime Branch probes Congress-BJP scuffle at Parliament. Injuries and allegations escalate political tensions

Delhi Crime Branch to investigate complaint against Rahul Gandhi

Delhi Police's Crime Branch probes Congress-BJP scuffle at Parliament. Injuries and allegations escalate political tensions

December 21, 2024 | 06:34 IST