Days before the results of the Gujarat Assembly elections are to come out, CCTV camera footage of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Rajkot East slapping and kicking two men for “supporting the Congress” went viral.
In two clips captured at 10:30 am on Friday, 15 December, Arvind Raiyani, the BJP candidate, can be seen thrashing jeweller Gautam Limbasiya inside his shop on the ground floor and his cousin, Dharmesh Limbasiya, in his shop on the first floor.
The closed circuit television (CCTV) video shows Raiyani entering Gautam's office and thrashing him. Gautam registered a complaint against the BJP leader with the B Division police station.
Speaking to The Quint, B Division Inspector RS Thaker said:
Yes, an official complaint has been lodged against Arvind Raiyani under Sections 114, 323, and 452 of the Indian Penal Code. The victims have said they were attacked by Raiyani, his father Gordhan, and brother Shailesh. The three entered the victims’ office and started beating them up for supporting a particular political party. We are investigating the matter and actions will be taken after proper investigation.
Raiyani is contesting the Assembly elections for the first time, and has been in the news since he got the ticket. The day he filed his nomination, details about him having two voter identity cards – one from Wankaner and other from Rajkot – were revealed by the Congress and the Aam Aaadmi Party. A complaint against his nomination was filed with the Returning Officer.
On 9 December, Raiyani cast his vote with a BJP scarf wrapped around his neck inside the polling booth. An inquiry was ordered into the matter by the Rajkot Collector.
Gautam said Raiyani’s office is next to his.
Raiyani and my offices are next to each other. Like normal citizens, we used to discuss politics with friends sometimes outside office or even inside. This, I guess, Raiyani did not like and barged into my office with his father and brother, and not only hit Dharmesh (brother) and I but also a worker.
Raiyani Blames the Victims of Harassing His Neighbour’s Daughters
Raiyani told The Quint that the reason he took the step was that Gautam and Dharmesh were “harassing the daughters of my neighbour”. He said:
My neighbour has four daughters. These guys use to misbehave with the girls. I could not tolerate that. I also have a 16-year-old daughter and I am telling you in case of daughters I am not going to sit silent.
One of Raiyani’s neighbours lodged a complaint against Gautam and Dharmesh, alleging harassment. “The girls’ complaint was received after Raiyani’s complaint,” Inspector Thaker confirmed.
Meanwhile, Gautam’s elder brother, Paresh, released an audio clip where he and Raiyani can be heard having a conversation. Paresh, a former BJP member, said after the incident, he called Raiyani to ask why he hit his brother.
Paresh said Raiyani can be heard saying that he hit the two because of their apparent support to the Congress.
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