Case withdrawn against BJP MLA for 'killing' police horse Shaktiman

Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has withdrawn a case against Bharatiya Janata Party Mussoorie MLA Ganesh Joshi for injuring police horse Shaktiman during a protest organised by the party. Shaktiman was injured on March 14, 2016 and his hind leg had to be amputated three days later. The police horse eventually died on April 20.

A case was filed against Joshi and his supporters under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act on a complaint filed by Shaktiman’s rider Ravindra Singh on March 17. Joshi was arrested but later released on bail on March 22.

The Uttarakhand government had written a letter to Dehradun district magistrate asking him to drop the charges against the BJP MLA. "The government has decided to withdraw the case against Ganesh Joshi, booked under various sections, in public interest,” State additional secretary (home) wrote Ajay Rautela wrote in his letter.

Thanking Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, Joshi said a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry should be initiated against former CM Harish Rawat in the case.