The dispute between BJP MLA Jaideep Bihani and Assistant Engineer (AEN) Jaganlal Bairwa of the Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure Development Project (RUIDP) in Sriganganagar has escalated into a major legal battle. Following orders from SP Harishankar, the Jawahar Nagar police have registered an FIR against MLA Jaideep Bihani and 30 others. The charges include obstructing government work, assault, and violations under the SC/ST Act, based on the complaint filed by AEN Jaganlal Bairwa.
Severe Allegations of Assault and Injury
AEN Jaganlal Bairwa (57), a resident of Sawai Madhopur, alleged in his report that the MLA and his supporters physically assaulted him. According to Bairwa, the MLA struck him in the eye with a heavy metal bracelet (kada) worn on his hand, causing a severe injury that has resulted in a loss of vision in one eye. The FIR names MLA Jaideep Bihani, AEN (PHED) Krishna Dhariwal, the MLA's personal assistant Manish Garg, Councilor Bunty Valmiki, and others including Krishna Gopal, Jagdish Ghodela, Dharmendra Sihag, Sunil Nayak, and Sandeep Shairewala.
Dispute Over ₹555 Crore Project
The complainant alleged that the root cause of the assault was a ₹555 crore infrastructure project currently underway in the city. Bairwa claimed that the MLA demanded a "share" in the project. " On April 30, after repeated calls from AEN Krishna Dhariwal, Bairwa reached the Jan Seva Kendra at 11:30 AM along with L&T Project Manager Shahnawaz Hussain and Engineer Soham Parmar, where the alleged assault took place.
Allegations of Hostage-Taking and Evidence Tampering
Bairwa further alleged that his blood-stained white shirt was forcibly removed and discarded on the MLA's instructions, and he was made to wear a new shirt to hide the evidence. He claimed that he and other officials were held hostage and beaten with sticks, pipes, and kicks. The complaint also states that the accused snatched and destroyed official government documents. Bairwa emphasized that he has been in government service for 36 years with an unblemished record and no prior criminal cases.
High-Level Investigation Underway
The state government has constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the matter, headed by UDH Secretary (IAS) Ravi Jain. The committee arrived at the Sriganganagar Circuit House on May 1 and began questioning both parties on May 2. This follows a counter-complaint by MLA Jaideep Bihani on April 30, which had initially led to the arrest of Bairwa, Shahnawaz, and Soham. After being released on bail on May 1, the officials held a press conference displaying their injuries and accusing the MLA of brutal physical abuse.