India
After being on the run for days, Pandey broke his silence over a video accessed by CNN-News 18, where he claimed to be wrongly framed
New Delhi: The Delhi Police has formally arrested Ashish Pandey for brandishing a gun outside Hyatt Regency on October 14. The Delhi Police moved an application before Patiala House Court seeking four days custodial remand of Pandey.
The public prosecutor in Patiala House Court said, "We need the custodial remand as the accused needs to be taken Lucknow as well. We have to recover the weapon also".
Pandey's counsel opposed the remand application and said, "We're ready for cooperation. We can deposit our pistol also. My client is suffering just due to media hype, and because his father was an MP. This matter is politically motivated".
The court granted a one-day police remand to Pandey.
After evading the police for days, the VIP brat approached Delhi's Patiala House Court to surrender on Thursday. Patiala House Court allowed Pandey's surrender plea. Ashish Pandey, son of former BSP MP Rakesh Pandey, was seen brandishing a gun outside Hyatt Regency on October 14.
After being on the run for days, Pandey broke his silence over a video accessed by CNN-News 18, where he claimed to be wrongly framed. He said that he did not point the gun, which was a licensed weapon, at anyone. He also said that he did not even address the woman or do anything immoral.
"I'm being projected like I'm a wanted terrorist & police across the nation is looking for me. Look Out Circular has been issued against me. If you check CCTV footage, you'll find who went to ladies toilet that night & who threatened whom," Pandey said.
Urging people to see the entire CCTV footage, Pandey said that the media reports till now have presented a one-sided view. He also said that there is no crime in being a politician's son/brother. He further said that he was a businessman with no criminal record.
He said, "I took the gun with me for safety. I didn't brandish it. It was hanging behind me all the time. I didn't even address that girl, she pushed me&made obscene hand gestures. I've faith in judiciary&so I decided to surrender. There is no history of a police case against me".
A video of a man brandishing a gun, threatening a couple in the foyer of Hotel Hyatt surfaced on Tuesday morning.
The man in the video was identified as Ashish, brother of sitting BSP MLA Ritesh Pandey and son of a former Member of Parliament.
According to the investigation, a scuffle started after three women, accompanied by Ashish, saw a man inside the hotel’s women’s washroom, identified as Gaurav Singh.
According to Gaurav, he was trying to help his friend who was not well. The women allegedly called Gaurav a transgender which triggered a verbal altercation. Later, Ashish brandished a foreign-made gun and threatened Gaurav.
According to police sources, the three women seen in the video, abusing Gaurav, are British nationals who left India on October 15.
The police are verifying the details with the help of the immigration department. One of the women has been identified as Pamella who is a close friend of Ashish and is also known to Sahil (Ashish's friend).
"She was the one who initially got involved in the argument with Gaurav's female friend," a police official said.
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