Former legislator arrested for firing outside sitting MLA’s office in Uttarakhand

A sitting MLA’s office in Haridwar’s Khanpur was vandalised and gunshots were fired by a former MLA and his supporters. The office belonged to Umesh Kumar, an independent MLA, and the attack was carried out by Ex-MLA and BJP leader Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion and his supporters.

The development came following several days of abuses and threats between the two leaders. The attack took place on Sunday, after supporters of the former MLA arrived at Umesh Kumar’s office in Khanpur in three vehicles and fired indiscriminately.

Umesh Kumar and Pranav Champion had been engaged in a war of words for many days now. After a social media post by Pranav, Umesh allegedly entered his house on Saturday and threatened his family.

A day later on Sunday, Pranav and his supporters reached Umesh’s office and fired shots, a purported video of which was allegedly shared by the former MLA on his Facebook account.

Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion has been arrested by the police. Besides, his wife has filed an FIR against Umesh Kumar, alleging he threatened to kill Pranav Champion, and pointed a weapon towards their children.

“We have arrested Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion. Besides, we are also taking action against Umesh Kumar. The police will be taking appropriate action in this matter,” said Haridwar SSP Pramendra Singh Dobal.

The official also said that a report of licenced arms in the possession of both Umesh and Pranav is being given to the District Magistrate and the police has demanded the suspension of these weapons.

Pranav Champion has been a four-time MLA from Khanpur, where Umesh Kumar is currently the MLA. In the 2022 assembly elections in Uttarakhand, he fielded his wife against Umesh Kumar, but she lost.

Reacting to the firing in Khanpur, Uttarakhand BJP President Mahendra Bhatt said strict action should be taken, and that he has also spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in this regard.

“The matter has come to the notice of the party and we will not allow any of our representatives, former or present, to take the law into their hands,” Bhatt said.

Notably, the BJP had expelled Pranav Champion in 2019 over use of “derogatory language”, but he was reinstated later.