Mumbai Police have begun proceedings against Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad for registering a case following a video that went viral on social media in which he was allegedly seen attacking a staff member in the canteen of a Maharashtra legislature. The incident was taken suo motu cognisance by the Marine Drive police station, media reports said.
In the recently-viral video, MLA Gaikwad is witnessed slapping and punching one of the staff members at Akashvani MLAs' canteen for purportedly serving 'stale food' reportedly as a result of discontent with the served food.
Gaikwad can also be seen infuriatingly having everyone smell a packet of dal. He finally gets the contractor to smell the packet and then slaps and punches him.
The incident was widely condemned by the government and opposition in politics.
While the criticism continues, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the act, stating such conduct conveys a "wrong message" that lawmakers are abusing their authority. He also instructed the police to start the investigation without a complaint.
Also read: CM Fadnavis slams MLA Gaikwad over viral assault video
There was no necessity for the police to wait for a formal complaint to begin an investigation into the incident, according to Fadnavis.
Deputy chief minister and Shiv Sena boss Eknath Shinde also claimed that he scolded Gaikwad for his action. "I told him he could have taken league steps, like filing a complaint. What he did was not right. I cannot be justified, even though he was showing anguish over the pathetic quality of food in the MLA canteen," Shinde said.
Earlier today, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam said the police cannot act against Gaikwad because no complaint had been lodged with him on this score.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended on Wednesday night the license of the catering agency managing the canteen, saying there were lapses in the food safety norms during an inspection of the unit.
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