Pappu Yadav attack row: Accused denies knife charge, says will face probe
Happy Sharma denied carrying a knife during the scuffle at Pappu Yadav's Delhi press conference and said he would cooperate with police. The clash, triggered after a shoe was allegedly thrown, has led to rival allegations of assault and conspiracy.
Hours after Independent MP Pappu Yadav alleged that a man had tried to kill him with a knife during a press conference in Delhi, the accused denied carrying any weapon and said he would appear before police for questioning.
Speaking to India Today TV, Happy Sharma said he and co-accused Sumit had been searched by police stationed outside Yadav's residence before being allowed inside and that no weapons were found on them.
The incident took place during a press conference at Yadav's residence, where a shoe was allegedly thrown at the MP, triggering a scuffle between his supporters and the two men. Sumit, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr, was overpowered at the scene and handed over to police.
Police said Yadav's supporters also handed them a knife along with Sumit. Investigators are trying to determine where the weapon came from and whether it was carried by either of the accused.
SHARMA'S VERSION
"We did not go there carrying knives. Police were present outside the MP's house, and we were thoroughly checked. A press conference was underway, and everything was recorded on camera," Sharma said.
He said he and Sumit had gone to Yadav's residence only to question him over remarks concerning Sanatan Dharma and Hindus.
"We only went to ask the MP why he was insulting Sanatan and Hindus. He was placing the saffron flag and Lord Ram's image on the ground. We told him that this should not be done," he said.
Sharma alleged that Yadav's supporters assaulted them after they raised the issue.
"As soon as we said this, his supporters beat us badly," he claimed.
He said he did not know who had thrown the shoe. Sharma also claimed that a group of sadhus had been protesting outside Yadav's residence before he arrived but were removed by police.
Asked whether he would cooperate with the investigation, Sharma said, "I will appear before the police."
YADAV ALLEGES ATTEMPT TO KILL HIM
In a post on X, Yadav shared purported photographs of Sharma with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the Deputy Chief Minister and demanded an investigation into his alleged political links.
"This man, who is seen with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, carried out a murderous attack on me. Prime Minister and Home Minister, please tell me: who hired him to kill me?" Yadav said.
The MP alleged that Sharma had come to kill him with a knife and claimed a wider conspiracy was behind the incident.
"Every day, some religious figures are saying, 'Burn him, we will give Rs 51 lakh.' Everyone is saying, 'Kill him.' There was a conspiracy to kill me," he said.
SUPPORTER CLAIMS KNIFE WAS DRAWN
Sources said the protest was linked to Yadav's earlier remarks on the alleged theft of donations meant for the Ram Temple.
Sumit reportedly told police that he was angry over what he considered Yadav's insult to Hindu saints.
One of Yadav's supporters alleged that an accused had pulled out a knife before being restrained.
"The moment he pulled out a knife, we acted together and overpowered him. Had we not restrained him, it is possible that Pappu-ji might not have been with us today," the supporter said.
Yadav's media convenor, who said he was injured in the scuffle, accused Delhi Police of failing to protect the MP despite prior warnings.
Police are verifying the competing accounts, the role of each person present and Yadav's allegation that the incident was part of a wider conspiracy.
Hours after Independent MP Pappu Yadav alleged that a man had tried to kill him with a knife during a press conference in Delhi, the accused denied carrying any weapon and said he would appear before police for questioning.
Speaking to India Today TV, Happy Sharma said he and co-accused Sumit had been searched by police stationed outside Yadav's residence before being allowed inside and that no weapons were found on them.
The incident took place during a press conference at Yadav's residence, where a shoe was allegedly thrown at the MP, triggering a scuffle between his supporters and the two men. Sumit, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr, was overpowered at the scene and handed over to police.
Police said Yadav's supporters also handed them a knife along with Sumit. Investigators are trying to determine where the weapon came from and whether it was carried by either of the accused.
SHARMA'S VERSION
"We did not go there carrying knives. Police were present outside the MP's house, and we were thoroughly checked. A press conference was underway, and everything was recorded on camera," Sharma said.
He said he and Sumit had gone to Yadav's residence only to question him over remarks concerning Sanatan Dharma and Hindus.
"We only went to ask the MP why he was insulting Sanatan and Hindus. He was placing the saffron flag and Lord Ram's image on the ground. We told him that this should not be done," he said.
Sharma alleged that Yadav's supporters assaulted them after they raised the issue.
"As soon as we said this, his supporters beat us badly," he claimed.
He said he did not know who had thrown the shoe. Sharma also claimed that a group of sadhus had been protesting outside Yadav's residence before he arrived but were removed by police.
Asked whether he would cooperate with the investigation, Sharma said, "I will appear before the police."
YADAV ALLEGES ATTEMPT TO KILL HIM
In a post on X, Yadav shared purported photographs of Sharma with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the Deputy Chief Minister and demanded an investigation into his alleged political links.
"This man, who is seen with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, carried out a murderous attack on me. Prime Minister and Home Minister, please tell me: who hired him to kill me?" Yadav said.
The MP alleged that Sharma had come to kill him with a knife and claimed a wider conspiracy was behind the incident.
"Every day, some religious figures are saying, 'Burn him, we will give Rs 51 lakh.' Everyone is saying, 'Kill him.' There was a conspiracy to kill me," he said.
SUPPORTER CLAIMS KNIFE WAS DRAWN
Sources said the protest was linked to Yadav's earlier remarks on the alleged theft of donations meant for the Ram Temple.
Sumit reportedly told police that he was angry over what he considered Yadav's insult to Hindu saints.
One of Yadav's supporters alleged that an accused had pulled out a knife before being restrained.
"The moment he pulled out a knife, we acted together and overpowered him. Had we not restrained him, it is possible that Pappu-ji might not have been with us today," the supporter said.
Yadav's media convenor, who said he was injured in the scuffle, accused Delhi Police of failing to protect the MP despite prior warnings.
Police are verifying the competing accounts, the role of each person present and Yadav's allegation that the incident was part of a wider conspiracy.
Hours after Independent MP Pappu Yadav alleged that a man had tried to kill him with a knife during a press conference in Delhi, the accused denied carrying any weapon and said he would appear before police for questioning.
Speaking to India Today TV, Happy Sharma said he and co-accused Sumit had been searched by police stationed outside Yadav's residence before being allowed inside and that no weapons were found on them.
The incident took place during a press conference at Yadav's residence, where a shoe was allegedly thrown at the MP, triggering a scuffle between his supporters and the two men. Sumit, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr, was overpowered at the scene and handed over to police.
Police said Yadav's supporters also handed them a knife along with Sumit. Investigators are trying to determine where the weapon came from and whether it was carried by either of the accused.
SHARMA'S VERSION
"We did not go there carrying knives. Police were present outside the MP's house, and we were thoroughly checked. A press conference was underway, and everything was recorded on camera," Sharma said.
He said he and Sumit had gone to Yadav's residence only to question him over remarks concerning Sanatan Dharma and Hindus.
"We only went to ask the MP why he was insulting Sanatan and Hindus. He was placing the saffron flag and Lord Ram's image on the ground. We told him that this should not be done," he said.
Sharma alleged that Yadav's supporters assaulted them after they raised the issue.
"As soon as we said this, his supporters beat us badly," he claimed.
He said he did not know who had thrown the shoe. Sharma also claimed that a group of sadhus had been protesting outside Yadav's residence before he arrived but were removed by police.
Asked whether he would cooperate with the investigation, Sharma said, "I will appear before the police."
YADAV ALLEGES ATTEMPT TO KILL HIM
In a post on X, Yadav shared purported photographs of Sharma with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the Deputy Chief Minister and demanded an investigation into his alleged political links.
"This man, who is seen with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, carried out a murderous attack on me. Prime Minister and Home Minister, please tell me: who hired him to kill me?" Yadav said.
The MP alleged that Sharma had come to kill him with a knife and claimed a wider conspiracy was behind the incident.
"Every day, some religious figures are saying, 'Burn him, we will give Rs 51 lakh.' Everyone is saying, 'Kill him.' There was a conspiracy to kill me," he said.
SUPPORTER CLAIMS KNIFE WAS DRAWN
Sources said the protest was linked to Yadav's earlier remarks on the alleged theft of donations meant for the Ram Temple.
Sumit reportedly told police that he was angry over what he considered Yadav's insult to Hindu saints.
One of Yadav's supporters alleged that an accused had pulled out a knife before being restrained.
"The moment he pulled out a knife, we acted together and overpowered him. Had we not restrained him, it is possible that Pappu-ji might not have been with us today," the supporter said.
Yadav's media convenor, who said he was injured in the scuffle, accused Delhi Police of failing to protect the MP despite prior warnings.
Police are verifying the competing accounts, the role of each person present and Yadav's allegation that the incident was part of a wider conspiracy.
