Naresh Meena, an Independent MLA candidate from Rajasthan’s Tonk district, was arrested on Thursday following an incident where he allegedly slapped a sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) during the bypoll. The altercation was captured on camera, showing Meena, a Congress rebel running as an Independent, grabbing SDM Malpura, Amit Chaudhary, by the collar and slapping him.

According to PTI, Chaudhary had been encouraging locals to vote, amid a boycott over the demand to reassign Samravta village to the Uniara sub-division, which is closer than Deoli. Meena was reportedly backing the villagers’ demand.

The confrontation sparked violence in the area, with vehicles set on fire, police officers pelted with stones, and 60 individuals taken into custody. Approximately 60 two-wheelers and 18 four-wheelers were torched in the unrest near the polling booth. Police intervened to disperse Meena and his supporters staging a dharna in Samravta village, part of the Deoli-Uniara constituency.

The Rajasthan Administrative Services (RAS) Association responded with a pen-down strike, affecting government services temporarily. Four cases have been filed against Meena, including charges for obstructing public work and damaging public property.