AMRITSAR: A local BJP leader allegedly flashed a pistol while his 16-year-old son and his friends thrashed the examination staff when his daughter was not allowed to cheat during her Class XII computer science paper on Thursday. Police arrested the father-son duo on Friday and said the weapon was licensed.

Pran Nath is the general secretary of Amritsar district BJP (rural). The incident happened when the exams were on at the government senior secondary school at Bhangali in Amritsar district and the BJP leader's son barged into the examination hall.

The boy intimidated the school superintendent and other staff and asked them to let his sister copy during the examination, said Lovedeep Singh, SHO of Majitha police station.

When senior superintendent of school Pushpinder Kumar requested the boy to leave the hall, he called his father and friends, who immediately arrived at the centre with a pistol and a .315 calibre rifle.

He said Pushpinder told the cops that all of them thrashed him and other staff, tore the answer sheets and threatened them with dire consequences before leaving the place.

Amritsar SP (headquarters) Manmohan Singh said Pran Nath and his son were arrested.

"We have registered a case against the duo and six other unidentified persons under various sections for causing injury, criminal intimidation and stopping public servants from doing their duty," the SP said.

Meanwhile, the boy, a Class X student, and his sister have been expelled from the school. Director general of school education K S Pannu said, "We have decided to expel them." He added that extra staff has been deployed at the examination centre for the security of staff and the matter has been brought to the knowledge of the education minister.

Parmod Devgan, president of Amritsar district BJP (rural), refused to comment if any action was taken against Pran Nath following the episode.

