PrashantNews
After an FIR was lodged against him, social activist Bobby Panwar may not face an immediate action after he allegedly threatened to kill state power secretary R Meenakshi Sundram in the secretariat.
Sundram is a highly influential IAS officer in the state. Panwar, who has been raising corruption issues, has denied the allegations. Panwar through his social media post has asked Sundram to release the footage of CCTV camera installed inside the secretariat “cabin” to verify the alleged incident which took place on Nov 6.
The sources said any action against Panwar will depend upon the prevailing situation especially after the Kedarnath byeletion which is slated to be held on Nov 20. However, the sources refused to divulge more information saying the matter is politically sensitive in nature.
When contacted top police officials remained tightlipped. State home secretary Shailesh Bagauli also remained guarded in his comments and said “the FIR has been lodged. Let’s see (what happens next).”
The FIR was lodged against Panwar following a complaint by Sundram’s senior personal secretary Kapil Kumar to SSP Dehradun Ajai Singh about alleged threat on life, intimidation and abusive language.
A group of top IAS officers met Dhami and Chief Secretary Radha Raturi on Thursday and demanded stern action against Panwar.
In the complaint, Kapil Kumar alleged Panwar came to meet Sundram at his office in the secretariat and started behaving badly. Panwar allegedly abused, intimidated and threatened to kill Sundram. He even assaulted Kumar in front of Sundram. Panwar also threatened using his words like “bahir Dekh lengein (We will see you outside),” the complaint said.
Panwar, who is president of Uttarkahand Berojgar Sangh, has contested Lok Sabha elections from Tehri seat this year and stood third.
Through the social media, Panwar has raised issues of corruption in the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL) and other departments of the state. He has opposed the extension of UPCL MD Anil Yadav during his meeting with Sundram. The sources pointed out that Panwar is selective in branding Yadav as corrupt when some top officials of other departments particularly in Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand (PTCUL) are facing corruption charges.
Meanwhile, Congress Vice President Suryakant Dhasmana has asked Dhami to appoint Lokayukta in the state to probe various corruption charges against top government officials.