In a sensational turn of events in Medininagar, Jharkhand, former cabinet minister and Congress leader K N Tripathi finds himself embroiled in a controversy after his two bodyguards accused him of hurling casteist abuses and physically assaulting them. The incident, which allegedly occurred on Tuesday afternoon at Jubilee Chowk in Latehar district, has sparked outrage and led to a police complaint under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

According to the complaint lodged by the bodyguards—one from a tribal community and the other a Dalit—a ‘Zero FIR’ was filed at the Medininagar Town police station on Wednesday. Jyoti Lal Rajwar, the officer-in-charge, confirmed that the FIR has been transferred to the Latehar police station for further investigation. The bodyguards allege that Tripathi, frustrated by their inability to clear a traffic jam, resorted to slapping them and using derogatory caste-based remarks, an act that has drawn widespread condemnation.

Tripathi, a former rural development and panchayati raj minister, vehemently denied the allegations, claiming they are baseless and motivated by revenge. “I only asked my bodyguards to be more vigilant. I cleared the road myself in minutes without any violence or abuse,” Tripathi told PTI, asserting that CCTV footage would corroborate his version of events. He suggested that the bodyguards felt humiliated by their failure to manage the situation and retaliated by filing the FIR.

Also Read: Congress Leader Calls GST Reforms a Belated U-Turn

The incident has ignited strong reactions, particularly from the Jharkhand Police Men’s Association, which has demanded strict action against Tripathi. In a letter to DGP Anurag Gupta, the association’s regional president, Karna Kumar Singh, described the alleged assault and casteist remarks as an affront to the entire police force. “The bodyguards were trying to manage the traffic, but Tripathi’s actions were uncalled for and deeply insulting,” Singh stated, urging swift and severe measures.

As the investigation unfolds, the case has raised serious questions about the conduct of public figures and the misuse of power. The allegations against Tripathi, if proven, could have significant repercussions for his political career and highlight the persistent issue of caste-based discrimination in India. The public and authorities alike await further developments, with CCTV footage likely to play a crucial role in determining the truth.

Also Read: UDF Demands LDF Clarify Sabarimala Role