Gujarat court sentences BJP MP to three-year jail term in assault case

Ahmedabad: A sessions court in Gujarat's Amreli district on Wednesday sentenced Bharatiya Janata Party's Amreli MP Naran Kachhadiya to three years' imprisonment in an assault case. The court also convicted four others, including a local woman BJP leader, and imposed fines of Rs.25,000 each on all five for roughing up an on-duty government doctor Bhimji Dabhi three years ago. They were, however, given interim relief against arrest for a month and time till May 11 to move the high court against the verdict. Meanwhile, Kachhadiya, 58, told reporters after the court verdict: "I am innocent and will move the high court." Amreli civil hospital doctor Bhimji Dabhi was beaten up in January 2013 when he allegedly refused to treat Ravi Joshi, 23, a son of woman BJP leader Madhuben Joshi. Ravi was beaten up by some people in Chalala town following an argument. After the doctor allegedly asked the Joshis to leave the hospital, she called up Kachhadiya who rushed there along with his supporters. After an altercation, a supporter of Kachhadiya roughed up the doctor. The hospital staff went on a flash strike to protest against the assault. Later, a police complaint was lodged against the parliamentarian and 15 others.