No action was taken against the BJP leader till evening. BJP leader and Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi called the incident “unfortunate” and promised prompt action.

The incident took place around 11 am when Amarnath Tewari, assistant editor with the national daily, was at his Charminar Apartments flat at Kadamkuan near Rajendra Nagar.

BJP leader Madhu Verma and her son Rituraj, living in the same apartment, came and started arguing with Tewari. They then assaulted him with a steel rod, causing severe injuries on his face.

Tewari, who was admitted to a hospital, said: “As I was watering plants, Madhu Verma came and started beating me with a rod and later her son also joined in. Several supporters of the BJP leader were also waiting downstairs. My family members, who tried to save me, were also beaten up.” Tewari has lodged a case against Verma and three others.

He said there was no provocation for the incident.