*The audio has been altered by The Quint due to copyright issues.
On Saturday, 13 July, the licenses of three weapons of controversial BJP MLA Pranav Singh Champion, who was recently suspended from the party, were revoked, reported news agency ANI.
In a viral video that was circulated on Wednesday, 10 July, the MLA from Khanpur seat in Uttarakhand can be seen dancing with guns and alcohol at a house party.
“After getting reports from the Haridwar police, I have suspended three licences of (Kunwar Pranav Singh) Champion,” District Magistrate Dipendra Kumar Chaudhary said, reported IANS.
He further added that as per the notice, the BJP MLA has been asked to reply within 15 days as to why the licences of all the three weapons should not be revoked.
The action was taken following a report by Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police Janmejay Khanduri that the licenses of the three weapons namely a double barrel rifle, a revolver and a modified carbine, should be cancelled on security and safety reasons.
According to IANS, Khanduri said, "There are some cases against Champion. So we have decided to recommend the cancellation of the licences.”
Meanwhile, the BJP MLA has criticised the action saying his son, who is a shooter, used to practice with these weapons. “With this decision, the sports future of my son looks bleak,” he told his supporters.
Gun in One Hand, Alcohol in Another
Initially, he is dancing with a gun on one hand, and a glass of alcohol in another. In the matter of a few seconds, he quickly shifts to holding guns in both the hands and one in his mouth as his supporters cheer him on.
He was dancing to the tunes of Mujh Ko Rana Ji Maaf Karna from the 1995 movie Karan Arjun.
Pranav Singh Champion along with his supporters were reportedly celebrating his homecoming after a leg operation.
Viral Video Edited, Intrusion into My Privacy: Champion
As the video started doing rounds on social media, the suspended BJP MLA claimed that the clip was edited and termed it an intrusion into his privacy.
Champion now has requested security from Dehradun Police alleging threat to him and his family.
"The video which has gone viral is edited and an intrusion into my privacy. I never used abusive words against anyone as is being shown by the media," PTI reported quoting Champion in a private television channel.
The suspended MLA also told the private news channel that he guns seen in the video were “licensed, unloaded and not pointed at anyone", adding there is nothing wrong in dancing with guns".
State BJP Takes Cognisance of the Matter
Taking cognisance of the viral video, the state BJP sent Champion a show-cause notice and made a recommendation to the central leadership of the party for stern action against him saying indiscipline cannot be tolerated, PTI reported.
“Party is taking action against BJP MLA Pranav Champion, central leadership has been recommended to permanently suspend him.”Shyam Jaju, BJP Uttarakhand State in-Charge.
Meanwhile the state police also said that they will verify if the weapons are licensed or not.
Champion’s Suspension in June
A few months ago, a video of Pranav Singh Champion threatening to kill a journalist went viral. After the incident, the journalist lodged a complaint against him in the Chanakyapuri police station in Delhi.
Uttarakhand BJP chief Naresh Bansal had suspended him for three months from primary membership of the party on 22 June on charges of misbehaviour with journalists.
(With inputs from IANS, ANI, and PTI)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)