A video of Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan repeatedly saying “don’t touch me” while being escorted by police in Saharanpur spread rapidly on social media on Tuesday, turning a local protest over a youth death investigation into a political flashpoint in Uttar Pradesh.
The Kairana MP was briefly detained after an argument with DIG Saharanpur range Abhishek Singh regarding the investigation into the death of Monu Kashyap, a 25-year-old man from Shamli district. The confrontation unfolded after Hasan visited the DIG office with the victim’s mother, who has been demanding a wider probe and the addition of more names to the FIR.
The viral clip, recorded outside the DIG office premises, showed police personnel attempting to escort Hasan toward a vehicle while she objected strongly to being touched during the detention.
Monu, a resident of Jasala village in Shamli district, was found critically injured near the Panjokhra railway tracks in Kandhla area on April 21 with one leg severed. He died during treatment at Meerut Medical College the following day.
Police later arrested two of Monu’s friends, Shubham and Sachin Kumar, in connection with the case. However, the family has continued pressing for additional accused to be named.
“The DIG completely refused to listen to Vimalesh Devi’s grievances and abruptly got up and left the meeting. The woman came out crying with me,” Hasan alleged.
DIG Abhishek Singh denied the accusation and defended the police action.
“The MP was heard patiently and informed about all legal proceedings in the case. Action is being taken as per due process, and two accused have already been sent to jail. No disrespect was shown to anyone, and all allegations being levelled are false,” he told The Times of India.
As officers escorted her away, the now-viral “don’t touch me” moment was captured on camera and widely circulated online.
Calling the action excessive, Hasan said, “This is pure dictatorship. We have all the recordings. There was no blockade, and we were only planning to submit a fresh application when police suddenly arrived and escorted us to the women’s police station.”
Hasan later reached Sadar police station and staged a sit-in protest along with party workers.
“What kind of justice is this? An elderly woman and her relatives come seeking a fair inquiry into her son’s murder, and her relatives are sent to jail. I have asked police to either release them or arrest me as well,” she told The Times of India.
By late evening, several Samajwadi Party functionaries had gathered outside the police station in support of the MP and the victim’s family.
(Source: TOI)
The Kairana MP was briefly detained after an argument with DIG Saharanpur range Abhishek Singh regarding the investigation into the death of Monu Kashyap, a 25-year-old man from Shamli district. The confrontation unfolded after Hasan visited the DIG office with the victim’s mother, who has been demanding a wider probe and the addition of more names to the FIR.
The viral clip, recorded outside the DIG office premises, showed police personnel attempting to escort Hasan toward a vehicle while she objected strongly to being touched during the detention.
Why Iqra Hasan went to the DIG office
Hasan had accompanied Vimalesh Devi, the mother of Monu Kashyap, to seek action in the case. The family alleges that Monu was murdered and claims the investigation has not included all those responsible.Monu, a resident of Jasala village in Shamli district, was found critically injured near the Panjokhra railway tracks in Kandhla area on April 21 with one leg severed. He died during treatment at Meerut Medical College the following day.
Police later arrested two of Monu’s friends, Shubham and Sachin Kumar, in connection with the case. However, the family has continued pressing for additional accused to be named.
‘The woman came out crying with me’
After meeting the DIG, Hasan accused the senior officer of refusing to hear the victim’s mother properly.“The DIG completely refused to listen to Vimalesh Devi’s grievances and abruptly got up and left the meeting. The woman came out crying with me,” Hasan alleged.
DIG Abhishek Singh denied the accusation and defended the police action.
“The MP was heard patiently and informed about all legal proceedings in the case. Action is being taken as per due process, and two accused have already been sent to jail. No disrespect was shown to anyone, and all allegations being levelled are false,” he told The Times of India.
Brief detention outside DIG office
Following the meeting, Hasan and several supporters gathered near the parking area outside the DIG office. Police later accused the group of obstructing traffic and detained the MP for around 10 minutes before releasing her from the women’s police station.As officers escorted her away, the now-viral “don’t touch me” moment was captured on camera and widely circulated online.
Calling the action excessive, Hasan said, “This is pure dictatorship. We have all the recordings. There was no blockade, and we were only planning to submit a fresh application when police suddenly arrived and escorted us to the women’s police station.”
Protest continues at police station
The matter escalated further when four people accompanying Hasan, including relatives of the deceased and SP supporters, were jailed on charges related to disturbing peace and obstructing traffic.Hasan later reached Sadar police station and staged a sit-in protest along with party workers.
“What kind of justice is this? An elderly woman and her relatives come seeking a fair inquiry into her son’s murder, and her relatives are sent to jail. I have asked police to either release them or arrest me as well,” she told The Times of India.
By late evening, several Samajwadi Party functionaries had gathered outside the police station in support of the MP and the victim’s family.
(Source: TOI)
