BJP leader critically injured in attack with axe, sticks:Condition critical after encroachment dispute; allegations against minister

In Sarangpur of Rajgarh district, BJP SC Morcha district vice-president Jitendra Malviya alias Jitendra Hathiya was attacked. The incident took place around 7:30 am on Thursday. It is reported that two men attacked him with an axe and sticks following a dispute over removal of encroachment. He suffered a head injury. The injured BJP leader is also the sarpanch of Sultania village. After the incident, he reached Pachore police station in a critical condition. He alleged that the attack was orchestrated by Sarangpur MLA and Minister of State Gautam Tetwal. The incident occurred following an encroachment dispute in Sultania panchayat two days ago. Sarpanch alleges ₹80 lakh bribe offer The sarpanch alleged that Minister Gautam Tetwal had earlier asked him to accept ₹70–80 lakh and withdraw all cases. He also claimed that one of the attackers said the minister was backing him. He said he had gone to dump village waste using a tractor in the morning when Kailash Nagar and Durgaprasad Nagar attacked him with an axe. People present there later assaulted the accused. Allegation against Minister of contesting election by changing caste The sarpanch alleged that Minister Gautam Tetwal contested the Assembly election after changing his caste. He said complaints had been filed with the Election Commission and the High Court, and more than six complaints were also submitted to the Collector, SP and at the state level, which are under investigation. Minister Tetwal said – All these allegations are false Responding to the allegations, Minister Gautam Tetwal said over the phone that all claims are false and politically motivated. He said he was not in Sarangpur at the time and that the incident was a result of internal disputes in the village, adding that he has no connection with it. Allegation of attempting to run over Sarpanch with tractor From the other side, two injured persons were also brought to Pachore hospital. Kailash Nagar suffered injuries on his legs. Another injured, Durgaprasad, claimed that they were working in the fields when the sarpanch tried to run a tractor over them. He alleged that 30–40 people then gathered and assaulted them. Station in-charge Shakuntala Bamaniya said the condition of sarpanch Jitendra Malviya is serious. Based on his statement, a case of assault and attempt to murder is being registered against Kailash Nagar and Durgaprasad. Further investigation is underway. The accused were angry about removal of encroachment from land According to information, on March 30, a team of seven patwaris removed encroachment in the presence of the Pachore tehsildar. This action was taken on the application of sarpanch Jitendra Malviya. It is reported that Kailash and Durgaprasad were upset over this, which led to the attack.