Naresh Meena surrenders in Tonk SDM slap case, sent to judicial custody
Synopsis
Naresh Meena, the Independent candidate accused of slapping an SDM during the Deoli-Uniyara by-election in November 2024, surrendered in Tonk on 6 August 2025 after his bail was cancelled over an alleged protest violation. With Section 163 BNSS clamped across Tonk and police probing his assets, the case is rapidly escalating beyond a single incident into a test of electoral accountability in Rajasthan.
Key Takeaways
Naresh Meena surrendered at Nagarfort Police Station, Tonk on 6 August 2025 and was remanded to judicial custody.
He is the prime accused in the SDM slapping case from the Deoli-Uniyara Assembly by-election on 13 November 2024 .
The Rajasthan High Court had granted him conditional bail on 14 July 2025 after nearly eight months in jail; bail was cancelled after alleged violation of conditions.
District Collector Tina Dabi imposed Section 163 BNSS in Tonk city, Deoli, and Uniyara ahead of his surrender.
Police have begun collecting details of Meena's movable and immovable assets on directions from the special court.
The Samravata violence case involves around 60 accused persons ; all others remain on bail.
Independent leader Naresh Meena surrendered at the Nagarfort Police Station in Tonk, Rajasthan, on Thursday, 6 August 2025, in connection with the high-profile Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) slapping case. He was subsequently produced before the SC/ST Court in Tonk, which remanded him to judicial custody and sent him to jail.
Background: The SDM Slapping Case
The case originates from the Deoli-Uniyara Assembly by-election held on 13 November 2024, when residents of Samravata village boycotted polling to demand the village's inclusion in the Uniyara subdivision. Meena, contesting the election as an Independent candidate, joined the protest. Police allege that during the demonstration, he slapped SDM Amit Chaudhary while objecting to the administration's efforts to facilitate voting by three individuals. He was arrested from the protest site on 14 November 2024 and sent to judicial custody the following day.
Bail Granted, Then Challenged
The Rajasthan High Court granted Meena conditional bail on 14 July 2025, after he had spent nearly eight months in jail. The bail conditions explicitly prohibited him from participating in protests, demonstrations, public receptions, or felicitation events. However, police allege he violated these conditions by attending a protest following the deaths of schoolchildren in the Piplodi school building roof collapse in Jhalawar district. Based on this alleged violation, Nagarfort Police filed a petition seeking cancellation of his bail, which the court accepted, directing Meena to surrender by 6 August.
Security Measures and Section 163 Imposed
Anticipating a gathering of supporters, the Tonk district administration remained on high alert ahead of the surrender. District Collector Tina Dabi imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) across Tonk city, Deoli, and the Uniyara area to maintain law and order.
Asset Details Sought, Trial Ongoing
In a separate development, Nagarfort Police have initiated the process of collecting details of Meena's movable and immovable assets, following directions from the special court. Police have written to the Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Nayagaon (also known as Nanvata) in Mothpur tehsil of Baran district, seeking a full account of his assets for submission before the court. The Samravata violence case, which involves around 60 accused persons including Meena, is currently under trial. The remaining accused are out on bail.
With Meena now back in judicial custody, the trial is expected to draw renewed attention to questions of electoral conduct and the limits of bail conditions for accused in high-profile political cases.
Point of View
Rather than any electoral act, triggered the cancellation, raising a legitimate question about proportionality. Yet the broader pattern is harder to ignore: the Samravata case has 60 accused, all others free, while the most prominent name cycles in and out of custody. Rajasthan's courts will need to demonstrate that the trial process — not political optics — is driving outcomes here.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Naresh Meena surrender in Tonk on 6 August 2025?
Naresh Meena surrendered at Nagarfort Police Station on 6 August 2025 because the court cancelled his bail after police alleged he violated its conditions by attending a protest. The court directed him to surrender by that date, and he complied.
What is the SDM slapping case against Naresh Meena?
The case stems from the Deoli-Uniyara Assembly by-election on 13 November 2024, when Meena allegedly slapped SDM Amit Chaudhary during a protest at Samravata village. Residents had boycotted voting to demand inclusion in the Uniyara subdivision, and Meena, contesting as an Independent, joined the demonstration.
How did Naresh Meena violate his bail conditions?
The Rajasthan High Court's bail order, granted on 14 July 2025, barred Meena from protests, demonstrations, and public gatherings. Police allege he breached this by participating in a protest over the deaths of schoolchildren in the Piplodi school building roof collapse in Jhalawar district.
What security measures were taken ahead of Meena's surrender?
District Collector Tina Dabi imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in Tonk city, Deoli, and the Uniyara area to prevent crowds from gathering at the police station.
What is the current status of the Samravata violence case?
The Samravata violence case, involving around 60 accused persons including Meena, is currently under trial. All other accused remain on bail. Police are also separately collecting details of Meena's movable and immovable assets on directions from the special court.
