BJP MLA Brijbhushan Rajput confronted and slapped warehouse in-charge Sonu Yadav over the movement of government-supplied chickpea seeds. Police and agriculture officials are investigating whether stock meant for free distribution to farmers was being diverted.
Rajput, who represents the Charkhari Assembly constituency, maintained that those responsible for diverting government supplies meant for farmers should not be spared. (File Photo: ITG)
Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh,Oct 22, 2026 11:53 IST
In Uttar Pradesh's Mahoba district, BJP MLA Brijbhushan Rajput slapped a government seed warehouse in-charge after catching him loading around 100 sacks of chickpea seeds meant for free distribution among farmers into a pickup vehicle.
The seeds, estimated to be worth Rs 4 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, were seized, while police detained three people for questioning. A video of the confrontation has since surfaced on social media.
The incident took place at the Government Agricultural Seed Store in Charkhari, where around 100 sacks of chickpea seeds meant for free distribution among farmers were allegedly being loaded into a pickup vehicle for unauthorised transportation.
The warehouse in-charge, identified as Sonu Yadav, was confronted by Rajput after the MLA received information about the suspected diversion of the government-supplied seeds. During the confrontation, the legislator accused Yadav of being associated with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and slapped him, according to the account of the incident provided in the report.
Rajput warned that those responsible for depriving farmers of government benefits would face action. The video of the confrontation has since circulated widely on social media.
AROUND 100 SACKS OF SEEDS SEIZED
Following the incident, officials from the agriculture department and local police reached the spot to investigate the matter.
Acting on the directions of the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Mahoba, in-charge District Agriculture Officer BC Vishwakarma arrived at the warehouse along with police personnel.
During the inspection, officials recovered approximately 100 sacks of chickpea seeds from the pickup vehicle. The seized seeds were estimated to be worth between Rs 4 lakh and Rs 5 lakh.
The seeds had reportedly been supplied by the government for free distribution among farmers. Officials are investigating whether the stock was being transported without authorisation and whether an attempt was being made to sell it illegally.
The agriculture department subsequently submitted a complaint at Charkhari police station against Yadav and two of his associates. Police seized the pickup vehicle and the recovered seeds. Three people were detained for questioning as part of the investigation, according to the information provided.
MLA ACCUSES OFFICIALS OF DIVERTING FARMERS' BENEFITS
Rajput, who represents the Charkhari Assembly constituency, maintained that those responsible for diverting government supplies meant for farmers should not be spared.
During the confrontation, the MLA questioned Yadav over the movement of the seeds and demanded an explanation regarding the documents authorising their transportation.
The legislator also issued a warning that anyone found depriving farmers of their entitlements would face strict consequences. His remarks, along with the physical confrontation, became a major talking point after the video appeared on social media.
However, the allegations of black marketing remain subject to investigation, and the circumstances surrounding the transportation of the seeds are yet to be fully established.
POLICE INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY
The police and agriculture department are investigating the alleged diversion of the government-supplied seeds. The complaint names the warehouse in-charge and two associates, while the seized vehicle and seeds are part of the ongoing inquiry.
The investigation is expected to establish whether the seeds were being transported in violation of government rules and whether there was an attempt to sell the stock intended for farmers.
The incident has also drawn attention to the implementation of government schemes for farmers and the monitoring of agricultural supplies distributed through state-run facilities.
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