Show cause notice to BJP MLA after Vande Bharat assault video goes viral

Lucknow,UPDATED: Jun 23, 2025 19:36 IST

The BJP’s Uttar Pradesh unit issued a show-cause notice to Babina MLA Rajeev Singh Parichha over a viral video of his alleged supporters involved in a scuffle with a fellow passenger aboard the Vande Bharat Express.

The incident occurred on June 19 when Parichha was travelling from Delhi to Bhopal with his wife and child. A video that surfaced on social media shows the legislator standing to the side while a group of men, allegedly his supporters, thrash a passenger, leaving him visibly injured and bleeding.

The clip sparked a storm of criticism online. The incident gained political traction after former Madhya Pradesh Congress MLA Mukesh Nayak shared the video on social media, accusing Parichha of "hooliganism" inside the high-speed train. Nayak said the passenger was thrashed so hard by the MLA's "goons" that he was left bleeding from his nose, ears and other places.

As the matter snowballed, Parichha filed a complaint against the passenger with the Government Railway Police (GRP). In his complaint, he claimed the passenger was creating a nuisance by repeatedly stretching his legs into his personal space. According to the MLA, when he objected, the passenger began misbehaving and later called associates to assault Parichha’s supporters at Jhansi station.

However, the viral footage painted a different picture. According to unconfirmed reports, the MLA had asked to trade seats with the passenger, but he refused, which led to the altercation.

BJP ACTS ON VIRAL VIDEO

Taking serious note of the controversy, BJP State General Secretary Govind Narayan Shukla sent a show-cause notice to Parichha, giving him seven days to respond.

The letter stated, “Your actions have tarnished the image of the party and indicate serious indiscipline. You are directed to respond within seven days, failing which strict action will be taken.”

When questioned by reporters about the incident, Parichha stated, “I will explain everything in writing.”

- Ends