Fri Dec 20 19:50:39 UTC 2024: ## Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Faces FIR After Parliament Scuffle

**New Delhi:** A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by Delhi Police following a scuffle outside Parliament on Thursday. The incident, which stemmed from chaotic protests involving BJP and INDIA alliance MPs, resulted in a complaint being lodged by BJP MP Hemang Joshi.

The BJP alleges that their MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi was injured when Mr. Gandhi pushed another MP, causing him to fall on Sarangi. The Congress, however, counters this claim, alleging that BJP MPs were the aggressors, pushing their leaders, including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge.

Mr. Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, denies the accusations, stating that BJP MPs wielding sticks prevented him from entering Parliament and threatened him. The Congress has filed a counter-complaint accusing BJP MPs of assault.

The FIR against Mr. Gandhi cites several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges of causing hurt, grievous hurt, endangering personal safety, and criminal intimidation. While most charges are bailable, some are cognisable, potentially allowing for arrest without a warrant. Legal experts note that the Supreme Court’s Arnesh Kumar judgment suggests arrests should not be routine for offences with a maximum sentence of up to seven years.

Mr. Gandhi has several legal recourses, including seeking anticipatory bail or challenging the FIR. The incident also raises questions about Mr. Gandhi’s parliamentary status; a conviction with a sentence of two years or more would lead to disqualification. The situation remains tense, with both sides presenting sharply contrasting accounts of the events.

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