Lok Sabha elections 2019: Booth capturing case against BJP minister in Rohtak, ex-MLA

Police have booked BJP state minister Manish Grover and former Congress MLA Bharat Bhushan Batra in the alleged case of booth capturing in Rohtak during the Sunday’s Lok Sabha elections.

Rohtak superintendent of police Jashandeep Singh Randhawa said a case was registered against the two leaders under Section 188 (disobedience to public servant’s orders) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 131 (disorderly conduct in or near polling stations) of the Representation of the People’s Act at Shivaji Colony police station.

Randhawa said the FIR against the two leaders was registered on the complaint of assistant returning officer for entering polling booth number 145 at Bhartiya Kanya Secondary School in Rohtak without any permission.

The FIR also mentions some unknown men as accused.

Batra had alleged that Grover was entering polling booths with his muscle men to “intimidate and threaten” voters in the Lok Sabha polls.

On the day of polling, May 12, the Congress leader had reached the polling booth and confronted Grover, following which the duo had a heated exchange and scuffle.

Later, Batra and Congress MP candidate Deepender Hooda had lodged a formal complaint against Grover with returning officer-cum-deputy commissioner Yash Garg. Taking action on the complaint, the returning officer barred Grover from leaving his office till the completion of election. The police had also arrested two of Grover’s “musclemen” with weapons.

However, the Congress leaders continued their protest demanding further action against Grover. Party’s senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad wrote to Chief Election Commissioner demanding action against Grover for “brazen misuse of power” during elections.

After Azad’s letter, the police swung into action and formed a special investigation team. They arrested seven men and lodged an FIR against Grover, and also included Batra’s name in the case.

The police said further investigation was going on.