Advertisement

Updated April 15th, 2020 at 06:32 IST

Puducherry Congress MLA booked for violating lockdown norms for the second time

As Covid-19 lockdown was extended, Puducherry Congress MLA, a close confidante of CM has been booked for the second time for allegedly violating the norms

Reported by: Navashree Nandini
Puducherry
| Image:self
Advertisement

As Covid-19 lockdown was extended till May 3, Puducherry Congress MLA, a close confidante of Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, has been booked for the second time for allegedly violating the norms. A John Kumar allegedly ventured out to distribute relief materials in his village drawing a crowd of over 150 people, police said on Tuesday.

Following the incident, a case was registered against Kumar on a complaint from the Revenue Department officials that the MLA along with others was distributing rice bags to over 150 people near his house in neighbouring Nellithope village on Monday, in violation of the rules. He was booked under Indian Penal Code sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease) and provisions of the Disaster Management Act and the Epidemics Act, police said adding further investigation was on.

READ | PM Modi extends Coronavirus lockdown in India till May 3; Watch his FULL ADDRESS

This is the second time that John Kumar had been booked on charges of the same offence. Police had last month registered a case against the legislator and others for allegedly violating the lockdown and distributing vegetables to around 200 people outside his house. Meanwhile, the Excise Department has suspended licences of 22 liquor and arrack shops for illegally selling the brew during the ongoing lockdown.

READ | Coronavirus LIVE Updates

The day also saw the Chief Minister, Welfare Minister M Kandasamy and the Congress MP V Vaithilingam paying floral tributes to a statue of B R Ambedkar on the occasion of his birth anniversary while observing social distancing. 

READ | Amit Shah assures availability of essentials as India extends Covid lockdown

First violation by the MLA

Earlier on March 26, the Congress MLA was accused of distributing bags with vegetables to a crowd of over 200 people near his residence in Puducherry's Nellithope. The Puducherry police registered and FIR against John Kumar for his 'irresponsible conduct' of allowing a gathering of 200 people and distributing the bags to them personally, amid the Coronavirus scare. Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy extended the lockdown in the UT  till April 30. The UT has 6 active Coronavirus cases.

READ | Congress attacks Modi even before formal Lockdown Extension announcement; talks 'politics'

(with PTI inputs)

Advertisement

Published April 15th, 2020 at 06:32 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

Christopher, Wife Emma To Get British Knighthood And Damehood
5 minutes ago
The tax notice sent to the Congress party pertains to the assessment years 2017 to 2021.
14 minutes ago
Tie-dye printed shirts
17 minutes ago
A case has been registered against former minister and BRS working president KTR in Hanmakonda
18 minutes ago
Ramban Accident
30 minutes ago
Bitcoin
31 minutes ago
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE
34 minutes ago
Faridabad Fire: Massive Blaze Engulfs Factory in Bhankri Village, Panic Grips Locality
43 minutes ago
Riyan Parag
44 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo