As a consequence, MSEB employees have resorted to a pen down strike and will meet Munde on Saturday to resolve the issue.

Details of the incident as available with the special inspector general's office here, revealed that Pandit had telephoned Assistant Engineer Laxman Dyanoba Chaware to enquiry why street lights in Shindpana, Chincholi and Nandgao, all of which are a part of his constituency, had not yet been commissioned.

When Chaware replied that it would not be possible to commission the lines immediately, the minister lost his cool, and directed him to report at his residence. Chaware `pleaded' that with the election code ofconduct in force it would be unadvisable for him to take instructions from a minister at his residence and that he consult his seniors.

Chaware was, however, later advised by his own superiors to call upon the minister and explain the MSEB version.

On August 4 Chaware went up to the minister's residence and tried to explain his inability in commissioning the street lights.

Pandit was in no mood to hear his orders being rejected and slapped the engineer in his face even as onlookers looked on. Reports from Gevari stated that had some of those present not intervened, the minister would have injured Chaware seriously.

Chaware, then walked up to the Gevrai police station where a case was registered against the minister under Section 189 (threat of injury to public servant), 353 (assault, criminal to deter public servant from discharge of duty), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to public servant) and 506 (criminal intimidation).

Special IG, S S Suradkar, talking to The Indian Express said, no oneshould fear that the police will not carry a proper investigate into the incident.

All the offences against Pandit are of bailable nature. The minister was not available for comment when contacted at his residence.