File photo of senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde
An FIR has been registered by the local police in Beed against three people and eight unknown people after senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde's supporters attacked a helicopter pilot on Thursday in Beed, Maharashtra.
A case has been registered under section 353, 143, 147 IPC (Indian Penal Code) and section 135 of Maharashtra Police Act. The pilot has not given a statement and no arrests have been made yet.
The incident happened on Thursday, when Mr Munde, after attending a rally in Beed, reportedly wanted to fly to a location different from the one mentioned in the flight plan. His supporters conveyed this to the pilot - who retired from the Indian Air Force - but he allegedly refused, citing rules during election season.
The 64-year-old leader then reportedly approached the pilot himself, saying that he had informed the chopper company about his change of plan. But when the pilot stood his ground, Mr Munde left, saying he would travel by road. Soon after, the politician's supporters attacked the pilot.
The incident has now been taken up by the Rotary Wing Society of India, an association of helicopter professionals in India. The Rotary Wing Society of India has filed an official complaint against Gopinath Munde and his supporters with DGCA.
On Sunday, Mr. Munde had told reporters in Sangli, ""The pilot has not been cooperating for the last four days. Today also he has said something wrong. That is why my party workers and the pilot had a shouting match."