Doctor who flung shoes at BJP leader being interrogated by Delhi Police, Intelligence Bureau

Dr Bhargava is reported to be facing inquiries by the Income Tax department in connection with buying properties, undisclosed income and unaccounted money.

New Delhi: Delhi Police along with the Intelligence Bureau is interrogating the doctor, who was detained for hurling shoes at BJP leader addressing a press conference at the party's headquarters recently.

The man identified himself as Shakti Bhargava, a doctor by profession and a resident of Kanpur, according to police. His identity is being verified and a medical examination has been carried out

"A joint team of Intelligence Bureau and Delhi Police's Special Cell and Security Wing is questioning him to ascertain how he gained entry, the purpose of his visit and why he threw shoes at the BJP leaders," a senior police officer informed PTI.

Medical Dialogues had recently reported that Dr Bhargava is reported to be facing inquiries by the Income Tax department in connection with buying properties, undisclosed income and unaccounted money. He is the controller of Bhargava Hospital and many other companies.

According to news reports, he hurled a shoe at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP G.V.L. Narasimha Rao when the latter was addressing a press conference about Malegaon blast accused Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur joining the BJP, at the party’s national headquarters.

The shoe narrowly missed the BJP leader and hit a mic. Incidentally, the shoe came flying towards Rao just when he was attacking the Congress for opposing the nomination of Sadhvi Pragya as BJP’s Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal, saying that there were no charges against her.

Just after the incident, the doctor immediately bundled out by security guards at the party office and will be handed over to police.

Dr Bhargava, owner of Bhargava Hospital in Kanpur, had faced income tax raids in 2018 over purchase of three bungalows. The alleged transaction, according to sources, was worth a total of Rs 11.50 crore. Money was allegedly paid for the bungalows from Shakti Bhargava’s accounts but they were bought in the names of his wife and children.

The police had also investigated the matter from the angle of violation of the Benami property rules. According to Delhi Police, Bhargava had not been able to tell the source of the income for the amount used to purchase the bungalows.

The Income Tax Department had then also found Rs 28 lakh cash and Rs 50 lakh worth of jewellery at the doctor’s house.

Read Also: Kanpur Doctor throws shoe at BJP leader during press conference

No complaint has been received from BJP as of now, police said, adding, no case has been registered yet. Police are also scanning CCTV footage to ascertain the sequence of events.