Fresh trouble brewed for ruling Samajwadi Party Monday as its former member of parliament (MP) and candidate for Lok Sabha polls 2014, Chandra Nath Singh, was arrested on suspicion of molesting a co-passenger on board a train.
The high-profile politician was arrested by the government railway police (GRP) in Shahjahanpur when a girl, travelling on board the Padmavat Express, complained that Singh was trying to molest her.
When the GRP arrested Singh, a former MP from Machlishahr, it was discovered that he was travelling on a wait-listed ticket. The girl charged him of being drunk and of sexually harassing her.
The passengers in the train corroborated what the girl said, and testified to the police team. The former MP from Machlishahr, however, told the police that he was innocent and was being framed. He said he had only asked the girl to move a little, so he could sit on the berth.
The police conducted a medical examination on the former MP, who complained of unease and breathlessness and was admitted to the Shahjahanpur district hospital.
Policemen who arrested Singh said the MP was so drunk at the time that he was unable to walk. The ruling Samajwadi Party, however, refrained from commenting on the matter and said any action will be pronounced only after the probe report is produced.
The incident came on a day when Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav chairs a meeting on law and order in the state.
The ruling party has also been under fire for involvement of several party leaders and workers in crimes across the state.