LIVE UPDATE: CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas Admitted To RML Hospital After Alleged Assault By Central Forces At Connaught Place
New Delhi, Oct 11 – 2:45 PM IST
In a shocking development on Day 2 of the anti-CEC protest, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas has been admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital after he was allegedly assaulted by central forces deployed at Connaught Place.
According to CPI(M) sources, Brittas had gone to Connaught Place to meet students who were reportedly assaulted while peacefully protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of illegal and unconstitutional conduct in SIR and deletion of 13 crore voters.
Eyewitnesses say while Brittas was addressing the media, he was forcibly dragged away by central forces, assaulted and choked, before being taken away and dumped by the roadside.
A young man from Jharkhand, who was also detained by the central forces during the Jantar Mantar crackdown, came to Brittas’s aid when he saw the MP struggling to breathe and his health deteriorating. He gave Brittas water and helped him get an auto.
CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby and members of the party’s Central Committee subsequently took him to RML Hospital.
Brittas remains hospitalised and is showing signs of recovery, though he continues to experience some breathlessness. Doctors have examined him and are monitoring his condition. He is under observation.
LeftViews Editor-in-Chief Dr Thomas Isaac and members of the editorial team have also visited him at the hospital.
CPI(M) has strongly condemned the assault on a sitting Member of Parliament. Party sources said this shows the extent of “authoritarian crackdown” – if an MP is not spared while speaking to media, what will happen to ordinary Gen Z students.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal who was present at Supreme Court during Sunday’s special hearing mentioned the incident before the bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, saying MPs are being choked for meeting peacefully protesting students.
Delhi Police and central forces have not yet issued an official statement on Brittas assault allegation. RML Hospital has not released a formal medical bulletin yet.
*Context:* This comes a day after thousands were detained at Jantar Mantar during CJP’s call for CEC resignation. Supreme Court on Sunday ordered removal of all barricading, restoration of internet and metro, and said no illegal detention of peaceful unarmed persons shall take place.
