BJP worker receives hero's welcome after bail in Dalit officer assault case
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Mau/Ballia: A significant political row has erupted in Uttar Pradesh after a local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker, jailed for allegedly assaulting a Dalit government official, was greeted with a celebratory procession upon his release on bail.
Munna Bahadur Singh was released from Mau district jail on Friday after securing bail from the Allahabad High Court. Viral footage circulating on social media shows Singh being escorted by a convoy of supporters and receiving a grand reception as he returned to his home district, a spectacle that has drawn sharp criticism online.
The controversy stems from an incident on 23 August, when Singh was arrested for allegedly attacking Lal Ji Singh, a superintending engineer with the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited. The altercation took place inside the official's office at the district headquarters.
According to the police complaint, the victim, who is from the Dalit community, was assaulted with shoes during the dispute. The nature of the alleged assault against a Scheduled Caste officer has made the subsequent celebration of the accused's release particularly contentious.
Despite the serious nature of the charges, Singh has received public backing from senior party figures. Dharmendra Singh, the younger brother of UP Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh, confirmed on Facebook that he was present at the jail to greet the accused. He noted that party workers had escorted Singh from Mau to Ballia, offering best wishes for his future.
Additionally, former BJP MLA Ram Iqbal Singh defended the accused on social media, claiming Singh had visited the power department merely to raise grievances about electricity supply in local villages. The former MLA described the charges as a "false implication" and welcomed the court's decision to grant bail.
Speaking to the press, Munna Bahadur Singh maintained his innocence, describing the grand welcome as a reflection of the "affection and solidarity" of his party colleagues.
However, police authorities have clarified that the legal proceedings are far from over. Officials emphasised that granting bail is a procedural part of the judicial process and does not equate to an acquittal. The trial regarding the assault charges remains active.