The incident occurred during the proceedings of Thana diwas, in the presence of several policemen and revenue officers.

Rakesh and his relative Rajesh Singh were creating a ruckus in the Mandhata police station over the arrest of their nephew Amit Singh and his friend Rakesh Chandra. The two were arrested late on Friday night by the Mandhata police after they were caught roaming around in an inebriated state.

“Rakesh and Rajesh had reached the police station and began an altercation with Sub-Inspector Rai over the arrest of Amit. Then they attacked Rai and tried to release Amit and Ram,” said Station Officer Girendra Singh.

The BSP leader thrashed Rai and pointed a pistol at him. “Rakesh and his relative attacked me and tore my uniform. He threatened to shoot me if I did not release his nephew Amit,” said Rai.

The incident enraged the policemen present.

They got hold of the BSP leader and his relative, thrashed them and put them under arrest.

The accused have been booked under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 504 and 506 (creating ruckus), 25 Arms Act, 7 Criminal Amendment Act, 323 (breach of peace) and 395 (obstruction in official work) of IPC, said Superintendent of Police, Pratapgarh, Ajay Mishra.

The police will also slap charges under the Gangsters Act on them, added Mishra.

Rakesh, a resident of Sarai Inayat in Allahabad, was the former Block Pramukh of Phoolpur block.