'Don't you know I am an MLA?’: BJP lawmaker threatens IAS officer on camera in Agra
Udaybhan Chaudhury said it was his ‘moral responsibility’ to reprimand SDM Garima Singh since she was like his ‘daughter’.
#WATCH Agra: BJP MLA Udaybhan Chaudhary threatens SDM Garima Singh, says 'Don't you know I am an MLA? Don't you realize my power, the power of democracy?' He had gone to meet the SDM over farmer issues (17.12.18) pic.twitter.com/3lfTlXAi46
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 18, 2018
A BJP lawmaker triggered sharp responses after he was caught on camera threatening a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Agra on Tuesday.
Expressing his “power” to SDM Garima Singh, Udaybhan Chaudhary can be heard shouting, “Aapko maloom nahi main vidhayak hun?” (Don’t you know I am an MLA?) in the video, adding “Meri taakat ka ehsaas nahi hai?” (Don’t you realise my power?).
The Fatehpur Sikri MLA’s remarks came during a visit to the Kerawali tehsil in Agra along with a group of protesting farmers on Monday. The farmers, led by Chaudhary, wanted Singh to talk to banks about their loan repayments, NDTV reported.
Chaudhary defended his aggressive remarks, saying it was his “moral right to reprimand the officer” because she was like his “daughter” and also alleged that her interaction with the farmers was rough.
The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Association, however, came out in support of Singh and said threatening officers was “not acceptable”.
Threatening young IAS officers working in the field is not acceptable. IAS officers across the country work under challenging circumstances and ensure Rule of Law is upheld. Proud of Garima Singh IAS for standing firm and not giving in to intidimation. #IAS https://t.co/RiOPF292v2
— IAS Association (@IASassociation) December 18, 2018