BJP leader thrashes man with plastic pipe in Balaghat:Mandal president booked after assault video surfaces; claims victim tried to extort him at knifepoint

A video of a BJP leader thrashing a young man with a plastic pipe has gone viral in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh. The incident reportedly took place on 25 October, while the video surfaced on social media on Monday evening. Based on the victim’s father’s complaint, police have filed a case of assault against BJP Mandal President Satish Lilhare, who is now absconding. Dispute during local event The incident happened during a local event attended by both Satish Lilhare and Ankit Damahe, the victim. A dispute broke out between the two over an unknown issue. In the viral video, Ankit is seen sitting on a chair repeatedly saying, “Hit me.” Lilhare, visibly angry, then strikes him several times with a plastic pipe on his legs and back and slaps him. People nearby intervened and stopped the assault by taking the pipe away. The video also shows Ankit hitting his own head after the incident. Police register assault case Following the video, Bipatlal Damahe, the victim’s father, lodged a complaint on Sunday. Acting on it, the Rural Police Station registered a case under assault-related sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police in-charge Amit Agrawal said the accused BJP leader is currently absconding, and the investigation is underway. Previous cases against the victim According to police, Ankit Damahe and three others were recently arrested in a case involving extortion and the Arms Act. Officials said multiple cases are already registered against Ankit and his associates. Investigators are currently reviewing the videos and statements related to the latest assault before taking further action. BJP leader claims self-defence After the video went viral, Satish Lilhare posted a clarification on social media. He claimed that Ankit and his group are drug addicts who often cause trouble in the village and threaten locals. Lilhare stated that on 25 October, during a Chhattisgarhi cultural event, Ankit and his friends created a disturbance. The next day, they allegedly demanded extortion money from two villagers while brandishing a knife. “When I went to confront them, they tried to attack me,” Lilhare said. “I hit them with a plastic pipe only in self-defence. Every incident should not be linked to politics,” he added.