india

Updated: Mar 15, 2016 17:15 IST

Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Ganesh Joshi on Monday attacked a police horse with a lathi, leaving the beast with a broken leg.

The assault took place during a BJP protest in Dehradun against the Harish Rawat government in Uttarakhand. More than 3,000 police personnel were deployed to control a crowd that tried to force its way towards the state legislature building.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sadanand Date told HT that Shaktiman, the horse, is in bad shape. He said the veterinarian has identified multiple fractures on its left leg.

“It seems the horse will no longer stand on its feet. We will register a case against those identified in video footage,” Date said. The SSP said if the condition of the leg worsens, it will have to be amputated, “but in that case, it will impossible for Shaktimaan to survive”.

DGP BS Siddhu has said that action will be taken against those found guilty of beating the horse. “Investigation is on and video clips are being examined minutely to establish the fact no one will be spared and dealt as per law” said Siddhu.

A case was later filed against Joshi and 10-12 of his supporters under sections 429 and 188 of the Indian Penal Code on Monday night for beating up the police during the BJP rally in the day.

Watch | Uttarakhand BJP MLA hits a police horse

The Congress condemned the incident and several Congress leaders, including chief minister Rawat, rushed to police lines to see the horse.

The chief minister directed officials to contact veterinary doctors in Tamilnadu. He said money is not an issue and government will bear the expenses to save Shaktimaan’s life.

“It is unfortunate that an animal, who can’t speak has been made target. This shows the frustration (of BJP), ” the chief minister said.

Police horse Shaktimaan got his leg fracture, during a BJP rally at Vidhansabha in Dehradun, India, on Monday, March 14, 2016. (Vinay Santosh Kumar/Hindustan Times)

Meanwhile, Joshi rubbished the allegations. The Mussoorie MLA released two videos in order to prove that the cavalry police charged the party workers first.

“I am being framed by the Opposition as today’s BJP rally was a big success. It’s not me who has beaten the horse. Even video clips do not show this. If found guilty, I will leave politics,” he said.

Shaktimaan has been serving in the police force for seven years.