COVID-19 Lockdown: FIR against Congress MLA for violating prohibitory orders

A FIR has been registered against Congress MLA Shailesh Pandey for allegedly violating prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC after a crowd gathered outside his residence in Bilaspur to get free ration.

"We got the information that people in large numbers have gathered at the residence of MLA to get essential items. There were around 1,000 people. It is a violation of Section 144 imposed by the state government. Action has been taken under Section 188 and 279 of the Indian Penal Code," Additional SP OP Sharma told ANI.

Section 144 was imposed by the Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel-led government in order to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Responding to the allegations, Pandey said: "When I reached my residence, I found a large crowd there. I informed Additional SP OP Sharma about it. People were sent back later. Even if we were helping people, how is that a crime?"

"I have not asked people to come. They came where there is relaxation in curfew. Police should have stopped people. There might be BJP's hand behind this. I don't know why police took this action," he said. 

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