Rajasthan engineer alleges BJP MLA assault; Gehlot demands impartial probe
Synopsis
A Rajasthan government engineer displayed assault injuries at a press conference after being arrested on a BJP MLA's complaint — then released on bail. The counter-allegations, a Dalit official at the centre of the dispute, and a threatened engineers' statewide boycott make this a politically charged flashpoint for the BJP-led state government.
Key Takeaways
RUIDP AEN Jaganlal Bairwa alleged he was physically assaulted by BJP MLA Jaideep Bihani and his supporters in Sri Ganganagar on 1 May 2025 .
Bairwa claimed he was beaten with a pipe, cannot see clearly from one eye, and has a fractured big toe on his left foot.
MLA Bihani filed a counter-complaint; police arrested Bairwa , Shahnawaz Hasan , and Soham Parmar , all of whom were later granted bail on Friday .
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot termed the incident "grave" and demanded an impartial probe, highlighting the Dalit community identity of the official involved.
The Rajasthan Council of Diploma Engineers threatened a statewide work boycott if justice is not delivered swiftly.
The matter remains under investigation with both sides maintaining their respective allegations.
A dispute in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Jaideep Bihani and officials of the Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure Development Project (RUIDP) escalated sharply on Friday, 1 May, after Assistant Engineer Jaganlal Bairwa publicly alleged physical assault by the MLA at a press conference, displaying visible injuries to the media. The development prompted former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to describe the incident as "grave" and demand an immediate, impartial investigation from the BJP-led state government.
What Bairwa Alleged
Jaganlal Bairwa, an Assistant Engineer (AEN) with RUIDP, stated that around 11:30 am on Friday he received a call from BJP MLA Bihani's number directing him to arrive immediately. Bairwa said he reached the location along with Larsen and Toubro (L&T) Project Manager Shahnawaz Hasan and L&T Planning Manager Soham Parmar.
"As I approached him, he began slapping me and using abusive language. His supporters then pushed me to the ground, kicked me repeatedly, and beat me with a pipe," Bairwa alleged. He further claimed that MLA Bihani "continued to assault" him even as his supporters piled on. Bairwa appeared before the media in a torn vest, pointing to his injuries, and alleged he was forced to change into a fresh shirt before being presented to police — purportedly to conceal the extent of the assault. He also claimed he is now unable to see clearly from one eye and that the big toe of his left foot has been fractured. Bairwa has since lodged a formal complaint against MLA Bihani and his supporters, seeking strict action.
Background and Sequence of Events
The dispute reportedly originated during a public hearing involving MLA Jaideep Bihani. On Thursday, the MLA had accused RUIDP officials of assaulting him, claiming injuries to his eye and face and alleging his spectacles were broken. Acting on Bihani's complaint, Jawahar Nagar police arrested Bairwa, Hasan, and Parmar. The three were subsequently granted bail on Friday and addressed the media at the District Council office in Sri Ganganagar.
According to Bairwa, on Thursday morning, Executive Engineer Monindrajit Singh and AEN Krishna Dhariwal had asked him to report to the BJP MLA's service centre located within the S.D. Bihani College premises — setting the stage for the confrontation that followed. MLA Bihani has maintained his counter-allegation, asserting that it was the officials who assaulted him first.
Gehlot's Response and the Dalit Angle
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the fact that government officials were compelled to hold a public press conference and display injuries "raises serious questions." He underscored that the matter carries additional sensitivity because one of the officials involved — reportedly Bairwa — belongs to the Dalit community.
"Any incident involving a member of the Dalit community must be handled with utmost seriousness and sensitivity," Gehlot said. He called on the state government to order a fair and transparent inquiry and warned that "strict and appropriate action should be taken against whoever is found guilty."
Engineers' Body Threatens Statewide Agitation
The Rajasthan Council of Diploma Engineers strongly condemned the incident. Its State President, Balram Jakhar, alleged that the engineers were summoned under the pretext of a meeting and then assaulted, with their mobile phones confiscated to prevent any recording. Jakhar warned that if justice is not delivered swiftly, engineers across Rajasthan will boycott work and launch a statewide agitation.
Investigation Ongoing
The matter remains under active investigation, with allegations and counter-allegations from both sides continuing to intensify. The coming days will be critical as authorities determine the sequence of events and establish accountability — with pressure mounting from opposition leaders, engineers' associations, and Dalit rights advocates alike.
Point of View
Especially at the local level. That the accused official reportedly belongs to the Dalit community adds a constitutional dimension the BJP-led government cannot easily sidestep. Gehlot's intervention is politically opportunistic, but the underlying demand — an independent probe — is legitimate. The engineers' threat of a statewide boycott signals that this is no longer just a local altercation; it is a test of whether Rajasthan's administration will protect its own officers from elected representatives. How the government responds in the next 48 hours will set the tone for its accountability credentials.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened between BJP MLA Jaideep Bihani and Rajasthan engineer Jaganlal Bairwa?
RUIDP Assistant Engineer Jaganlal Bairwa alleged that BJP MLA Jaideep Bihani and his supporters physically assaulted him in Sri Ganganagar on 1 May 2025, beating him with a pipe and causing injuries including a fractured toe and impaired vision. The MLA has filed a counter-complaint alleging the officials assaulted him first.
Why is Ashok Gehlot calling for an impartial probe?
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot termed the incident 'grave' and called for a fair inquiry, noting that government officials were compelled to publicly display injuries and that one of the officials reportedly belongs to the Dalit community, adding legal and constitutional sensitivity to the case.
Were the arrested engineers released?
Yes. Bairwa, L&T Project Manager Shahnawaz Hasan, and L&T Planning Manager Soham Parmar were granted bail on Friday, 1 May 2025, and subsequently addressed the media at the District Council office in Sri Ganganagar.
What action has the Rajasthan Council of Diploma Engineers threatened?
The Council's State President Balram Jakhar warned that engineers across Rajasthan will boycott work and launch a statewide agitation if justice is not delivered swiftly, alleging the officials were lured under the pretext of a meeting and had their phones confiscated.
What is the current status of the investigation?
The matter remains under active investigation by Jawahar Nagar police. Both sides — MLA Bihani and the RUIDP officials — have lodged complaints, and authorities are yet to establish a definitive sequence of events or assign culpability.
