‘Targeted for raising corruption issue’: Congress leaders after visiting Indore leader in jail

Top Congress leaders visit arrested IMC Leader of Opposition, accusing BJP of political vengeance and arrogance of power.

A day after Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) Leader of Opposition was arrested following clashes with a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker, top Congress leaders visited him in the prison and accused the ruling party of acting out of “arrogance of power”.

Madhya Pradesh Congress in-charge Harish Chaudhary and president Jitu Patwari were among the leaders who met Chintu Choukse and said that he was targeted for raising his voice against corruption in the civic body.  

Mr. Choukse, a Congress councillor, was arrested on Sunday (April 20, 2025) on charges of attempted murder, after he and his family members were involved in a brawl with a local BJP leader Kapil Pathak on Saturday (April 19, 2025) night. He is currently in judicial custody. 

According to the police, Mr. Pathak had received serious head injuries and was in the hospital. Another man was arrested along with Choukse, on a complaint given by Mr. Pathak

Speaking to reporters outside the prison, Mr. Choudhary said that the case against Mr. Choukse was lodged out of “political vengeance” and that it was not a case of attempt to murder. 

“The entire Madhya Pradesh is watching that these people [the BJP] have forgotten humanity in its arrogance of power. Choukse has been arrested by registering a false case against him due to political animosity,” he said, adding that the fight was also “pre-planned”.

He added that the Congress will fight for Mr. Choukse legally as well as on the streets.