delhi

Updated: Oct 16, 2018 23:38 IST

Ashish Pandey, son of an ex-BSP parliamentarian Rakesh Pandey, was seen pulling out a gun and threatening a woman at the entrance of a 5-star hotel in south Delhi in a 10-second video clip widely circulated over social media.

The incident took place outside Hyatt Regency hotel early on Sunday after the woman allegedly objected to Pandey walking into the women’s washroom, police said.

Sources said Pandey went to his car after the quarrel and then took out the gun before threatening her.

The video shows another woman said to be Pandey’s friend and a security guard trying to hold him back and calm him down. The video ends with Pandey being dragged away by the hotel staff.

A man who was with the woman told a news channel that the accused, who held the gun, walked up to him “threateningly” and “hurled abuses”, reported PTI. “I was intimidated and scared. The hotel staff were present at the spot. They tried to intervene but could not as they were also scared,” the victim claimed.

A woman accompanying the accused allegedly abused the victims and called them “transgender”, a senior officer privy to the probe said, adding it is suspected both the parties involved in the incident were drunk at the time of the incident, according to PTI

The hotel issued a statement saying the safety and security of the guests was the primary concern. “We take the incident seriously and have been working with the local police authorities on the same,” the statement said.

Taking note of the incident, Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijuju tweeted; “Delhi Police has initiated action on this incident which is also being shown in the media. FIR has been registered under Arms Act and IPC. Strong and appropriate action will be taken. Also verifying the identity of others.”

According to police sources, Pandey is a regular at the hotel and was accompanied by a few friends including women.

Police have registered a case under the Arms Act on the basis of video. A Look Out Circular (LOC) was also issued by Delhi Police against Ashish Pandey, ANI reported.

“A complaint from Assistant Security Manager Hyatt Regency Hotel, R K Puram has been received regarding incident that occurred on the intervening night of October 13-14. Accordingly a case under sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act has been registered..... Legal action is being taken as per law,” said. Devender Arya, Delhi’s deputy commissioner of police (southwest).

Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Ajay Chaudhary said on the incident took place on October 14 at 3.40 am.

“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, adding Delhi police was coordinating with the UP police and teams are looking out for Ashish Pandey.

He said the police are also trying to trace the victim.

In Lucknow, police reached Pandey’s residence to ascertain details in the case.

His father Rakesh Pandey was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2009 from Ambedkar Nagar. PTI said that the accused’s brother Ritesh Pandey is a sitting MLA in Uttar Pradesh.

Reacting to the incident, BSP leader Sudhindhra Bhadoria said a “proper investigation should be done and action should be taken”.

“The incident doesn’t have any connection with BSP. He is neither a leader nor a member of BSP,” he told ANI.