Uttar Pradesh: SP Leader's Son Booked For 'Extorting' Contractor In Mahoba

A clash occurred between two groups in Uttar Pradesh after a Samajwadi Party MP's son and representative allegedly tried to extort truck drivers. The incident was captured on video and went viral on social media.

A confrontation over sand mining operations and overloaded trucks in Mahoba district's Panwari area escalated into a violent altercation, involving the son of a Samajwadi Party (SP) Member of Parliament (MP) from Hamirpur constituency, his representative, and their supporters. The incident took place following a heated exchange between the police and the MP’s associates, which later led to the stopping of trucks and a dispute with a shuttering contractor, reported ABP News.

The incident occurred near Pathak Pulia in Panwari, where contractor Krishnakant Pathak accused Manvendra Rajput, son of MP Ajendra Singh Lodhi, along with the MP’s representative Surjeet Yadav and another individual, Anil Yadav, of stopping dump trucks and assaulting their drivers. According to Pathak, when he tried to intervene, the group, armed with guns, assaulted him.

Pathak further alleged that the MP’s son and his associates were extorting "goonda tax" (protection money) from the trucks. He claimed that Manvendra Rajput threatened him, saying: "If you argue or resist, we shall "riddle you with bullets." Following the incident, the Panwari police registered a case against Manvendra Rajput, Surjeet Yadav, and Anil Yadav.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Vandana Singh confirmed the incident, stating that they received information about a group stopping trucks, which was causing a dispute. The police intervened to defuse the situation, and a formal complaint was filed at the Panwari police station. Based on the complaint, a case has been registered, and an investigation is underway.

Ajendra Singh Lodhi's Representative Refutes Allegations

However, the MP’s representative, Surjeet Yadav, refuted the allegations, calling them baseless. He explained that the group was en route to attend an event in Rath and had stopped near Pathak Pulia for water. According to Yadav, the confrontation began when Krishnakant Pathak, whom he described as involved in the illegal sand trade and facilitating overloaded trucks, began hurling abuses and acting aggressively towards them. Yadav claimed that Pathak then called the police, who mistreated the MP’s son and his group, leading to what he called a false case being filed against them.

Yadav has demanded an investigation into the incident, asserting that the charges are part of a conspiracy and without merit.