Daijiworld Media Network

Vadodara, Oct 4: A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator in Gujarat was tied to a tree and beaten up by locals who were enraged that their homes were razed without prior notice.

The video that has gone viral on social media shows corporator Hasmukh Patel being tied up to a tree, his shirt torn and is abused by people surrounding him.

Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) as part of its drive against encroachment demolished a few buildings that were violating laws. When the locals approached the Vadodara Municipal Commissioner's office on why they were not given a prior notice, they were informed that the notice was sent to Hasmukh Patel.

However, when the group met Patel, he denied on receiving any notice. Enraged they tied Patel to a tree and started abusing him.

"This land belongs to the Collector (state government) and he is the one who passes an order. I am a small councillor. I have no idea about the decision taken by the municipal commissioner (regarding demolition)," the corporator, is heard saying in Gujarati in the video.

The corporator was later rescued by a team of police officers that rushed to the area and took him to a nearby hospital for treatment. The police have detained around 30 people for further interrogation.

This is not the first time Patel is embroiled in controversy. In another video that had gone viral post Independence Day this year, Patel was seen throwing the national flag on the road and moving towards his car.