A Trinamool Congress MLA in the Tripura Assembly on Monday caused a commotion after he grabbed the Speaker’s ceremonial mace and ran around the House, stalling legislative proceedings. The legislator, Sudip Roy Barman, was protesting against Speaker RC Debnath’s refusal to hold a discussion on a molestation case allegedly involving state minister Naresh Jamatia, The Times of India reported.

The incident took place after MLAs from the Congress and the TMC, who have been demanding Jamatia’s expulsion, stepped into the Well of the House. While the parties were chanting slogans against the state government and Jamatia, Barman ran up and grabbed the mace. He was chased by security staff in the Assembly before the House Marshal recovered the mace from him.

Barman later apologised for the incident and said he took the mace to grab Debnath’s attention, the Speaker criticised him for his conduct in the House. “Roy Barman is a senior member of the House,” he said. “What message has he given to his juniors?” It is not clear whether any action will be taken against the MLA.