Gujarat BJP MLA held for firing during Holi celebrations

FIRING TO CELEBRATE: BJP's Vadodara MLA Madhu Srivastava opens fire during Holi celebrations.

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Keywords: Firing, Holi

Vadodara: It was a Holi with a difference for controversial Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Vadodara, Madhu Srivastava.

An FIR was been filed against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA for opening fire during Holi celebrations on Saturday.

He was arrested under The Arms Act and released on bail by the Vadodara Police on Sunday. Srivastava was also charged with violating the Commissioner's order.

On Saturday, he rode a horse, took out a procession from his residence in the city to the Baroda Dairy of which he is the chairman, and fired in the air with his licensed revolver.

Not just that holding a sword, he acknowledged the greetings of the people and sprinkled colours on them.

Srivastava was also was accused for intimidating Zaheera Sheikh, a key witness in the Best Backery case in the 2002 Gujarat riots. He was later given a clean chit in the case.

The MLA, however, had brushed aside the controversy over the firing.

"I fired because I was happy and celebrating. I have done this for many years. There is no problem at all," he had casually remarked.