Revenue Minister Obstructed During Flood Relief Visit in Seraj Mandi: Congress Leader from Seraj Jagdish Reddy Files FIR Against 57 BJP Supporters in Mandi.
Shimla:
A high-voltage political drama unfolded in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district as a Congress leader from the Seraj constituency, Jagdish Reddy, filed an FIR against 57 individuals for allegedly obstructing and confining Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi during his official visit to flood and landslide-affected areas.
The incident occurred on Friday when Minister Negi was inspecting disaster-hit regions in Janjheli and Thunag—areas falling under the Seraj Assembly constituency. According to the complaint filed at the Janjehli Police Station, a group of alleged BJP supporters, led by local leaders Kamal Chand Rana and Gulzari Lal, intercepted the minister at the Thunag Rest House. The group reportedly blocked his route, waved black flags, raised anti-government slogans, and confined him for nearly two hours.
The FIR, lodged under Sections 126(2), 189(2), 191(2), and 190 of the newly enforced Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), accuses the protestors of wrongful restraint and interference with a public servant during an official duty.
Mandi Superintendent of Police Sakshi Verma confirmed the development, stating, “Three FIRs have been registered in relation to the incident. Over 50 individuals have been booked under various sections of the BNS for obstructing and unlawfully restraining the Revenue and Horticulture Minister. A thorough investigation is underway, and necessary legal action will be taken.”
The confrontation has ignited a fierce political face-off between the Congress and the BJP. Congress leaders have condemned the act as “an assault on democratic functioning and public service delivery,” demanding stringent action against those responsible.
“The minister was on a mission to assess and expedite relief work in disaster-affected zones. Obstructing such efforts is not only unlawful but morally indefensible,” said a Congress spokesperson.
As investigations continue, the political temperature in the region remains high, with both parties trading barbs on each other.
