NEW DELHI – The son of a former BSP MP has been booked for allegedly brandishing a gun at guests and threatening them at Hotel Hyatt in Delhi. A video of the incident, which went viral on social media, shows the accused, Ashish Pandey, holding a pistol and threatening a couple.
The police said it would be known whether the accused was carrying a licensed weapon or not after he was caught.
A case has been registered under the Arms Act and several sections of the IPC, including those related to causing hurt (323), criminal intimidation (506) and using force with the intent to outrage the modesty of a woman (354), were added, said Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Ajay Chaudhary.
Ashish Pandey hails from Lucknow and is the son of former BSP MP Rakesh Pandey. His brother, Ritesh Pandey, is a sitting MLA in Uttar Pradesh. The video which got viral on social media shows Ashish Pandey standing outside the entrance of the hotel and using foul language with the couple.
According to the complaint registered by the hotel manager, the video was taken on October 14, morning 3.40 am. The assistant manager told the police that a guest (man) entered into a women washroom. When he and a lady guard reached the spot, they saw the guest standing outside the washroom and engaged in a heated argument over the use of washroom with the couple
The person who entered the bathroom was with a woman. The heated argument continued even at the entrance of the Hotel. Ashish went to his BMW car and took out a pistol from it. He started threatening the couple during which hotel staff intervened and he left the place, said police.
The accused Ashish is still absconding and a police team has been sent to Lucknow to trace him. A look out circular (LOC) has been issued against him, said Chaudhary.
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said the police had initiated action in the case. “Strong and appropriate action will be taken. Also verifying the identity of others,” he tweeted.
Accused Ashish Pandey hails from Lucknow and is the son of former BSP MP Rakesh Pandey. His brother, Ritesh Pandey, is an MLA in UP. Ashish reportedly had a heated argument with a couple over using the washroom.
