New Delhi:
A day after Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged she was manhandled by UP police personnel in Lucknow, her husband Robert Vadra said there is no crime to be with people in need or in grief. The incident happened after Priyanka resisted police attempts to stop her from visiting the residence of retired IPS officer SR Darapuri, arrested in connection with the recent anti-CAA protests.
Taking to Twitter, Robert Vadra wrote: I am extremely disturbed at the way Priyanka was manhandled by the woman cops. While one held her by the throat, the other woman cop pushed her & she fell down. But she was determined & she travelled on a two-wheeler to meet family members of Former IPS officer SR Darapuri (sic).”
“I am proud of you Priyanka for being compassionate & for reaching out to people who need you. What you did was correct & there is no crime to be with people in need or in grief,” he added.
Priyanka on Saturday said, police don’t have the right to stop me. Narrating the sequence of events, Priyanka told reporters, "As we were on our way, a police vehicle came and the policemen said you cannot go. I asked them 'why'. And was told that we will not be allowed to move ahead,"
"I got off the vehicle and started walking. I was surrounded and a woman cop held me by my throat. Another woman cop pushed me and I fell down. I was forcibly stopped and a woman officer pulled me up by my neck. But I was determined. I am standing with every citizen who has faced police oppression. This is my 'satyagraha'."
UP Congress chief Ajay Kumar Lallu said, "The government is feeling scared of Priyankaji. Hence, she was stopped."
Later in a statement issued here, the Congress said, "Police cars came in speed and blocked the car of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Priyankaii's car had a close shave. Then the police tried to stop her and called more police force."
The statement alleged, "There were only two women police personnel and all male police personnel were also trying to stop her physically."
Refuting the allegations, Archana Singh, Circle Officer, Modern Control Room Lucknow, who was deployed in security duty, said the allegations of manhandling the Congress leader and grabbing her by neck are "false".
