PTI
Hyderabad, Jul 1: Congress MP from Nagarkurnool in Andhra Pradesh M Jagannath on Tuesday found himself in a spot after he allegedly slapped a bank manager in Mahabubnagar district, following which the bank union threatened to step up its protests.
Jagannath allegedly slapped Ravinder Reddy, manager of a local branch of Andhra Pradesh Grameen Vikas Bank, for not releasing the loan amount to SC/ST beneficiaries for the last six months at Uppununtala in the district, official sources said.
The MP alleged that the manager gave an improper reply when he called him up during a meeting of the mandal officials and public representatives to find out the reasons for not distributing the loans to the SC/ST beneficiaries.
Dissatisfied over the manager's reply, Jagannath headed to the bank from the mandal committee meeting and in the argument that followed, Jagannath allegedly slapped Reddy.
Footage aired by a news channel showed the ruling party lawmaker slapping the bank manager more than once.
"Can he speak to me in the language which he did? He was drunk heavily. If he was taken to the hospital, it would have been proved," the MP claimed.
However, the bank manager said Jagannath's behaviour is not befitting to the position held by him.
"He could have complained to my bosses if I am negligent in discharging my duties. This is not the way," Reddy said. The manager complained to the police against the Lok Sabha MP.
The police filed a case against the MP under IPC Sections 353 (assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 504 (insulting), a police official said.
A counter case was filed against the bank manager under the Prevention of Atrocities Against SC/STs by one Vijay and one Bakkaiah, he said.
Meanwhile, the AP Regional Rural Banks Employees Association (APRRBEA) demanded that the MP express regret for his action and also assure that such "scenes in future" won't recur from his end.
As a mark of protest, all the staff in the rural branches were wearing black badges and staged demonstrations before offices of District Collectors, a release issued by the association said.
The association said it would take up the matter with Prime Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker and the chief minister.
The bank union threatened to stop disbursal of loans as a mark of protest till action was initiated against the MP.