Akhilesh Yadav sacks top SP leader over alleged assault on journalist

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has sacked a senior leader of his Samajwadi Party over allegations that he assaulted a photo journalist in Lucknow.

Natwar Goel was the vice-chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Khadi and Gram Udyog Board, a post equivalent to a Minister of State in the government.

In his police complaint, journalist Ashutosh Gupta alleged that he was assaulted by Goel and his supporters when he had gone to take photographs of an allegedly unauthorised building that was being constructed after an aided college had been razed. Goel, however, has refuted the charges.

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had sacked Goel from his post as well as from the party over charges of indiscipline.

Senior Superintendent of Police R K Chaturvedi said a case has been registered on the complaint lodged by Gupta, and said that if the incident is proved correct, Goel would be arrested.

The Uttar Pradesh Accredited Journalist Association, the opposition Congress and BJP have condemned the incident and demanded action against Goel.

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