WATCH | BSP leader's son whips out gun; booked later

Son of a former Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP landed in trouble on Tuesday after a video of him brandishing a pistol went viral on social media. The incident took place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in the national capital late on Saturday. 

As the video footage kicked up a row, Delhi police swung into action and lodged an FIR against the gun-toting man, identified as Ashish Pandey, son of former BSP Member of Parliament Rakesh Pandey, under the Arms Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). It also launched a hunt to nab the accused.

In the video footage, Pandey is seen waving a pistol and threatening a couple in the foyer of a five-star hotel. A woman, who was with Pandey, also joined him in threatening the couple as the hotel staff rushed in to calm them down.

Pandey hails from Lucknow. His brother Ritesh Pandey is a sitting BSP  MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) in Uttar Pradesh, according to police.

“Delhi Police has initiated action on this incident. FIR has been registered under Arms Act and IPC. Strong and appropriate action will be taken. Also verifying the identity of others,” Union Minister for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju tweeted.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra reacted to the incident in a Facebook post, expressing concern over the law and order situation in the city.

Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Ajay Chaudhary said the police team are on the lookout for Pandey in coordination with the Uttar Pradesh police

"No complaint was lodged by the victim and the hotel staff on the same day. There is negligence on the part of three parties—the victim, hotel authorities and the accused," he said.

In a statement, Hyatt Regency said, “We take the incident that occurred at Hyatt Regency Delhi seriously and have been working with the local police authorities on the same. We assure our support and will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities in reference to any further investigation on this matter.”