Uttar Pradesh BJP faces heat over allegation that ‘MLA struck official’

Allegations on social media about Banda MLA Prakash Dwivedi slapping a Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) for not releasing seized trucks created an uproar on Tuesday (June 25, 2025). The Opposition called the situation in Uttar Pradesh “harmful” and “dangerous” owing to the behaviour of ruling party legislators and sought the strictest action.

The MLA admitted scolding the officer for alleged misconduct. This is the second incident in less than a week in which a BJP MLA has been accused of misconduct in U.P. 

“What is happening in UP under BJP rule? The BJP leader versus officer is happening; these situations are harmful and dangerous for the state. From Saharanpur to Sonbhadra-Mirzapur, illegal mining is underway in the entire state,” said Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on X, tagging a video link in which a claim was made about the MLA beating the SDM.

A mob allegedly attacked SDM Amit Shukla in Banda district on the night of June 22, after the official seized two sand-laden trucks over suspicions they were being used in illegal mining. In the FIR filed by the SDM’s official driver, Kamta Prasad Mishra, after two overloaded trucks were impounded, the SDM’s vehicle was intercepted and the official abused by 25-30 miscreants.

MLA denies assault

The police lodged an FIR under Sections 121 (1) (voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from the discharge of his duty), 351 (3) (criminal intimidation), and 109 (attempt to murder) of the BNS. The MLA was not named in the FIR. The issue led to an uproar, with the word spreading that Banda Sadar BJP MLA Prakash Dwivedi had slapped the SDM after asking him to release the trucks.

The Hindu tried to reach out to the MLA, whose staff said that Mr. Dwivedi was busy, adding all the allegations were incorrect. Speaking to local media, the MLA called the allegation a deliberate attempt to malign his image. “I did scold the SDM over what I believed were unjustified vehicle seizures, but there was no physical assault.”

Earlier on June 19, the BJP MLA from Jhansi’s Babina assembly segment, Rajeev Singh Parichha, created a controversy after a passenger on the Vande Bharat Express was allegedly attacked by his associates. The BJP was forced to issue a show-cause notice to the MLA amid the public outcry.