Chhattisgarh BJP MLA accused of assaulting government official

A government official in Chhattisgarh’s Surguja district has accused a ruling BJP MLA and his supporters of assaulting him. The official, on the other hand, is accused of inappropriate behavior towards the MLA’s female relative. The official and the MLA along with his supporters were booked in separate FIRs.

Tushar Manik, Nayab (Deputy) Tehsildar posted to Rajapur Tehsil under Mainpat Tehsil, alleged that Ramkumar Toppo, who represents Sitapur constituency in the State Assembly, assaulted him on Wednesday (May 27, 2026) after he accused him of misbehaving with an official relative of the MLA when she visited his office. He denied mistreating the woman.

Tushar Manik, Nayab (Deputy) Tehsildar posted in Rajapur under Mainpat Tehsil, alleged that he was assaulted by Ramkumar Toppo, MLA representing Sitapur constituency on Wednesday. Mr. Toppo allegedly accused Mr. Manik of misbehaving with a relative who visited the office on official business. Manik denied mistreating the woman.

Mr. Manik told reporters that an elderly woman visited his office on Wednesday with documents related to the issuance of a shodh kshamta praman patra (certificate of solvency), which is required for formalities related to the parole of prisoners.

“However, I told her that the required form for the prison department letter was incomplete. She said she would get it filled. I stayed in the office till 5pm but no one came (with the filled form). After 5pm, another woman came and insisted that I sign the document immediately,” he said.

Mr. Manik added that he told the woman that his reader to help with the signature was absent and would return the next day and it would not be possible to complete the form immediately.

“I told her to come the next day and I would sign the file when my reader reported for duty, but she insisted that I sign the file immediately,” he said. The official also said he left the office without signing the file, but denied allegations of misconduct.

“I didn’t treat her badly, but she said, ‘Why did I ask who he was?'” he added.

Official alleged assault

Mr. Manik said that when he returned home, Mr. Topp’s personal assistant called him and asked him to meet the legislator in Rajapur, so he went there with SDM Fagesh Sinha.

“The MLA was waiting with a bunch of his supporters. Some of them started attacking me. The MLA then pulled me out. He called a woman who is said to be his cousin. Then the MLA also attacked me. The SDM intervened and saved me,” claimed Mr Manik.

While Mr. Toppo was unavailable, a relative spoke to the media and alleged that Mr. Manik spoke rudely to her and refused to do the official work for which she had gone there. “He pushed me and abused me, used casteist remarks and behaved inappropriately,” she claimed.

Surguja Collector Ajeet Vasant said both parties have filed complaints against each other.

Published – 28 May 2026 22:57 IST