New Delhi: A video that has gone viral shows Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Pritam Lodhi questioning police directives in a case involving his son, who was charged with injuring five individuals by driving into them with his SUV in Madhya Pradesh. Lodhi demanded an explanation within 15 days.
In the footage, the 64-year-old representative from Pichhore is seen addressing the Superintendent of Police, inquiring about orders possibly originating from Delhi figures such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, or Jyotiraditya Scindia. He emphasized that the party’s senior leaders are based in Bhopal.
Lodhi also directed threats at Karera Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Ayush Jakhar, stating he would rally 10,000 supporters to defile the officer’s residence with cow dung if no response was forthcoming.
On Wednesday, the Madhya Pradesh BJP sent a notice to Lodhi, requiring him to explain his inappropriate conduct within three days or risk disciplinary measures.
Lodhi has a history of disputes. In August 2022, the state BJP unit removed him temporarily for remarks deemed anti-Brahmin and anti-women, despite his apology. He is an Other Backward Class leader from Shivpuri district and related to former Chief Minister Uma Bharti.
His election documents list nine pending cases against him, though police estimate around 35, including allegations of attempted murder, murder, and inciting hostility based on religion, race, birthplace, residence, or language.
The current issue arose from an incident on April 16 in Karera, where Dinesh Lodhi, the MLA’s son, reportedly struck three motorcyclists and two female pedestrians with his unregistered Thar SUV, which displayed a ‘Vidhayak’ label on its plate.
A widely shared video captured Dinesh blaming the victims for failing to yield despite his siren. Witnesses challenged him on his careless operation, suggesting he could have braked. He responded by questioning their evasive maneuvers and asking them to stop filming.
Authorities filed charges against Dinesh for negligent driving and risking lives. No arrest has occurred, but the vehicle’s siren was confiscated. A police insider noted the interrogation proceeded normally without external influence, and Dinesh showed no remorse.
Ashish Agarwal, the Madhya Pradesh BJP’s media chief and spokesperson, confirmed the party is aware of the matter and has addressed it.
The situation has escalated into a clash between Lodhi and police officials. The Madhya Pradesh IPS Association denounced Lodhi’s comments toward Jakhar, a 2022-batch officer from Rajasthan with a background from AIIMS in New Delhi.
In the video, Lodhi made additional provocative statements, claiming territorial dominance and warning against probing his son. He boasted of his increased strength and urged the officer to review his background, threatening retaliation for any unfair treatment.
Chanchal Shekhar, president of the IPS Association in Madhya Pradesh, issued a statement condemning Lodhi’s disrespectful and menacing language as unbecoming of public office and harmful to the officer’s dignity.
