BJP worker brutally attacked in Greater Noida over alleged remarks on Tyagi community, party promises action

The BJP's Lok Sabha MP, Mahesh Sharma, said he expects the police to act quickly against those responsible and that he and his party will act only after "36 hours."

Image Credit: ANI; Representational Image

Noida: A ruling BJP worker and close aide of Gautam Buddh Nagar MP Mahesh Sharma was hospitalised with grievous injuries following an attack on him by unidentified miscreants in Greater Noida, police said on Friday. Sanchit Sharma alias Singga Pandit was attacked in the Beta 2 police station area of Greater Noida late Thursday night and an FIR has been lodged in the matter, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Vishal Pandey said. Notably, Sanchit was briefly arrested in August on charges of promoting enmity after he allegedly made some objectionable remarks about the Tyagi community in the wake of the Shrikant Tyagi episode in Noida.

Mahesh Sharma, the BJP's Lok Sabha MP, said he is expecting quick action by the police against those guilty and added that he and his party would take action only after ‘36 hours.’ The FIR has been lodged over a complaint by the BJP's local Mandal president Mahesh Sharma (same name as the MP's) who too was in a car with Sanchit Sharma along with one more party worker but they had somehow managed to escape the attackers, a police official said. Their car was intercepted near a hotel by the seven to eight unidentified men who were in two SUVs and carried arms with them, he said.

"Sanchit has received injuries on his legs. Four police teams have been put into the case. CCTV footage is being examined for any leads. The people involved in the case will be arrested soon and strict action will be taken against them, Additional DCP Pandey said. The FIR has been lodged under Indian Penal Code sections 307 (attempt to murder), 147, 148 (both related to rioting, 342 (wrongful confinement), among others, the police said.

BJP MP Mahesh Sharma also visited the hospital to meet Sanchit.

Later, talking to reporters he said he has been informed that the attackers had come in two cars, a black colour Scorpio and a white colour Scorpio. “The attackers brandished revolvers and pistols at them (BJP workers) and attacked them with rods. They left Sanchit considering him dead. I have spoken to Sanchit and he shared some details with me,” Sharma, an MBBS doctor by profession, said.

“I am in pain that my mandal adhyaksh and my party workers have been attacked in such a manner in Greater Noida. It was a life-threatening attack, one that has caused us pain,” he said. “We have full faith in the police and we are giving the police time to investigate the matter and punish the guilty. The next step from the party's side and my side will be after 36 hours. It is our dharma and our responsibility to ensure the safety of our party workers and we will fulfil it,” the BJP leader said. When asked who could be behind the attack, Sharma said it was part of the police investigation and would be known after the probe only.