Police offer rewards for arrest of protesters who showed black flags to BJP state prez

Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal calls cases ‘false’

Jaipur: Didwana-Kuchaman district police Wednesday announced cash rewards for four accused wanted in connection with the May 29 protest in Kuchaman City, during which Rajasthan BJP president Madan Rathore was shown black flags and his convoy was allegedly obstructed.

According to an order issued by Superintendent of Police Pyarelal Shivran, a reward of Rs 5,000 was declared for information leading to the arrest of Bhuraram Sheshma, a resident of Surendranagar in Kuchaman City. Rewards of Rs 2,100 each were announced for Ramniwas Kantwa of Hirani village, Mukesh Saran alias Modi of Rasal, and Dinesh Kudna of Ranasar.

RLP chief and Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal posted on X alleging his party activists went to submit a memorandum through a democratic protest but were arrested and later booked in what he termed fabricated cases. “Not only that, but rewards were also announced for their capture, as if they were history-sheeter criminals. This raises serious questions about the ethics of your govt,” Beniwal wrote, directing his remarks towards Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.

Police said the four men are wanted in a case registered after the protest during Rathore’s visit and are accused of displaying black flags and obstructing the movement of the BJP president’s vehicle. Police appealed to the public to share information, saying informants’ identities would be kept confidential.

The controversy also triggered administrative action the next day, when the state govt removed then Didwana-Kuchaman SP Gyan Chand Yadav amid criticism over security arrangements for Rathore’s programme. The tehsildar was transferred out of the district and the local SHO was removed from his post.