Former BSP MP Rakesh Pandey’s son Ashish Pandey brandished a pistol and threatened the son of a former Congress MLA from Delhi at Hyatt Regency here in the early hours of Sunday. The incident was captured on camera and the video went viral on social media, after which police registered a First Information Report on Tuesday.
In the video, Mr. Pandey, who had come to party with four of his friends, can be seen abusing a man later identified as Kanwar Gaurav Singh, son of former Model Town MLA Kanwar Karan Singh.
Mr. Pandey can be seen holding a pistol and threatening Mr. Singh and his female friend. The women friends of the accused can also be heard abusing the duo, calling the man ‘transsexual.’ The incident is said to have happened at 4 a.m. on Sunday.
Pandey can then be seen holding a pistol in his hand and threatening Mr Singh and his female friend. The women friends of the accused can also be heard abusing the duo; calling the man ‘transexual’. The incident is said to have happened around 4am on Sunday.
On Tuesday, the complaint was given by the hotel’s Assistant Security Manager stating that he was on duty till 7am and received a call from a security officer at 3:40am regarding entry of a male in the ladies washroom.
“When I reached, I saw that there was a man and woman on one side and three women and two-three men on the side. Both sides were arguing. They came to the main porch and were talking. The car (Pandey’s) was brought in which three women sat. In the meantime, an argument ensued between the car occupant and the duo standing at the porch,” the security manager told police.
Next, according to the manager, Pandey went to the car and brought a pistol after which “he threatened to kill the duo”. The security personnel and staff allegedly intervened to break the fight. Pandey, still abusing, sped away in his vehicle with four others.
Sources said that the argument between the two parties started in the washroom. “Pandey’s side told the hotel staff that Gaurav was inside the woman’s washroom which they complained about after which Pandey also intervened and the fight ensued. Gaurav’s side told the hotel staff that his female friend wasn’t feeling well, therefore, he was at the washroom gate looking out for her but the women who had come with Pandey were poking fun at her for ‘not being able to handle alcohol’,” said a police officer.
Police who had initially registered a case under relevant sections of the Arms Act, later added section 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (wrongful restraint), 506 (criminal intimidation), 509 (To insult the modesty of a woman), and 354 (Molestation) of the Indian Penal Code.
Police, on Tuesday, conducted raids at Pandey’s Lucknow residence and offices but he was found absconding. Deputy Commissioner of Police (South West) Devender Arya said that a lookout circular has been issued against Pandey in case he tried to flee from the country and his relatives and friends are being questioned. Accused’s male friend who was with him at the time of the incident joined investigation on Tuesday evening.
Mr Arya said that police are also seeking legal opinion on whether there was any laxity on the hotel’s part as they failed to inform the police when the incident happened.
Responding to the incident, Hyatt Regency issued a statement saying that guests’ security and safety is their prime concern. “We take the incident that occurred at Hyatt Regency Delhi on seriously and have been working with the local police authorities on the same. We assure our support and will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities in reference to any further investigation on this matter,” the statement read.
Published - October 16, 2018 11:46 pm IST
