Case filed over attack on Pappu Yadav, accused turn out to be BJP workers

The accused in the case have been identified as Happy Sharma and Sumit Giri. Amid the growing scrutiny into the incident, it has emerged that both men are directly linked to the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and are residents of UP.One of the two men have denied the charge that he and the co-accused brought any knife to the scene. (Photos: PTI)New Delhi,UPDATED: Aug 3, 2026 14:58 ISTThe Delhi Police on Monday filed an FIR in connection with the incident wherein a show was thrown at Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav during a press meet. The parliamentarian has claimed that one of the accused tried to kill him with a knife during the chaos at the scene.The accused in the case have been identified as Happy Sharma and Sumit Giri. Amid the growing scrutiny into the incident, it has emerged that both men are directly linked to the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and are residents of Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahar district.They are local functionaries of the ruling party in Bulandshahar. While Sharma is a newly appointed vice president of a rural unit, Giri serves as a city secretary within the party.Sharma is a contractor by profession and Giri is said to be involved in farming and property-related businesses. According to Giri's mother, he had left home on Sunday around 3 pm yesterday under the pretext of going to work. However, the family later in the day learnt about his involvement in the scuffle at Pappu Yadav's residence in Delhi. Giri and Sharma are friends and their social media accounts have several photographs of them posing together.HERE'S WHAT ALL HAPPENEDThe case was registered a day after the two men entered Pappu Yadav's residence, leading to a scuffle and prompting a police response. The incident briefly triggered a security scare, with the duo being detained for questioning. While speaking to India Today, Sharma denied carrying any weapon to the scene. He claimed he and Giri were frisked by police stationed outside the Purnia MP's residence before being allowed inside and that no weapons were found on them.According to sources within the Delhi Police, the facts of the case are being ascertained. Efforts are underway to determine if the accused brought a knife to the scene.After verification of facts, required legal action will be initiated, the sources added.The FIR has been lodged under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 221 for obstructing a public servant in the discharge of official duties, Section 121(1) for voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant with the intent to deter or prevent them from performing official duties, Section 132 for assaulting or using criminal force against a public servant, and Section 3(5) common intention.It was filed after police personnel deployed at the lawmaker's residence alleged that they were obstructed and assaulted while performing security duties during the incident, an officer, cited by news agency PTI, said.Investigators are examining CCTV camera footage from the premises and nearby areas, recording statements of witnesses and police personnel. Police said the two men had allegedly gained entry to Pappu Yadav's residence and threw a slipper before a confrontation ensued.According to the police, when Giri was handed over by Pappu Yadav's supporters, a knife was also handed over along with him.Pappu Yadav was addressing the press amid a backlash from the BJP, Hindu groups and others over his controversial protest against the Ram Mandir donation theft. He said he would not be intimidated by the "attempt on his life." The Opposition MP has also claimed that people associated with the BJP are protecting the accused men.- Ends(With inputs from PTI)Published On: Aug 3, 2026 14:58 IST