Rajasthan by-poll candidate arrested amid high drama for slapping SDM

According to media reports, the police had to launch a "strategic" operation involving a large team wearing riot gear to arrest Naresh Meena, who is a Congress rebel.

Videos shared by news agency ANI showed Meena grabbed Malpura Sub-Divisional Magistrate Amit Choudhary by the collar at a polling booth in Samravata village in Tonk district and slapped him.

Following the incident, Meena and his supporters staged a dharna at the site. Meena asserted that he had been "informed that the SDM had allowed three fake voters to cast their votes." "The public became agitated when they saw those three workers under the SDM vote, but I managed the situation," he claimed, according to Indian Express.

Later that evening, around 10 p.m., clashes broke out between Meena’s supporters and the police.

According to officials, more than 50 people were injured, and over 60 vehicles were set on fire during the incident.

He was eventually arrested on Thursday amid a carefully planned police operation.

Ahead of his arrest on Thursday, Meena addressed the media at 9.30 am and rubbished allegations that he slapped the SDM because the latter belonged to the Jat community.

He, however, justified his act with the claim that Choudhary forced people to vote in favour of the BJP candidate.

According to an NDTV report, Meena said, "My plan was to visit every booth... but I found out the entire administration was working to ensure the BJP candidate will win. People were being forced to vote," he claimed, "When I asked who was forcing them they said it was the SDM. Yes, I slapped him but I did it because he was doing something wrong."

Meanwhile, Tonk District Collector Saumya Jha said SDM Choudhary was asked to file a report on the incident, based on which an FIR has been registered.

Jha said Meena was arrested from the spot of his agitation after the FIR was filed.

On Wednesday night, the Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) Union also threatened to go on strike if immediate action for allegedly assaulting the SDM.

The Jat Karamchari Welfare Society Rajasthan has also condemned the incident.

However, Meena’s supporters have accused the police of attacking peaceful protesters who were having dinner.

According to the Indian Express report, the police had tried to arrest Meena on Wednesday night but failed to do so due to his protesters.