CHANDIGARH, Dec 8: Regional Passport Officer Bhagat Ram, booked in an assault case yesterday, has described the allegation of hitting the complainant as false. ``It is a malicious propaganda by the travel agents against me, but I will not be deterred by their act,'' Bhagat Ram told Chandigarh Newsline.``Some irresponsible travel agents have joined hands to tarnish my image by creating obstructions in the discharge of my day-to-day duties,'' he added.
He alleged that certain travel agents had been suspended because of undesirable activities and they had ganged up against him. He said that on November 30, Bhag Chand, while distributing some ``black-mailing material'' in the passport office, was checked by policemen. ``He admitted that he was engaged by a local travel agent,'' the RPO said.
Bhag Chand had alleged having been ``kicked'' by the officer and a case against Bhagat Ram was registered because of ``mild dislocation'' suffered by Bhag Chand.
However, denying that he hit the complainant, Bhagat Ram said that Bhag Chand had been examined at the hospital and ``no fracture had been discovered''.
Meanwhile, no headway has been made in the case, according to police sources.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.