Rahul Gandhi pushed to ground in scuffle with cops trying to prevent him from reaching Hathras

Ascuffle broke out at the Delhi-Noida border on Thursday afternoon after Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were stopped from travelling to Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh. The Gandhis said they wanted to meet the family of the victim of alleged gangrape and murder in the Hathras.

As police tried to stop Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, who were being followed by a huge crowd of Congress workers and supporters, some police personnel attempted to stop Rahul Gandhi physically from marching ahead. In the melee, some police personnel apparently pushed Rahul Gandhi, who fell on the ground.

In the videos recorded by India Today TV team, the police personnel manning the UP border in Greater Noida were seen trying to physically stop Rahul Gandhi from going any further on the Yamuna Expressway. Rahul Gandhi reiterated that he wanted to meet the family of the victim's family and was "ready to go all alone on foot" to Hathras.

The police did not relent leading to sharp exchanges between Rahul Gandhi and the officials. The police said there were prohibitory orders in place in Hathras, where the administration has imposed CrCPC Section 144 restricting entry of any outsider to the district.

Rahul Gandhi sought to know on which ground he was being prevented from travelling to Hathras. He said, "I want to walk to Hathras alone. Please tell me under which section are you arresting me."

To this, the police personnel said, "We are arresting you under Section 188 IPC for violation of an order." The provision deals with obstruction caused to a government official in carrying out his or her duty.

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi's convoy was stopped near Pari Chowk area in Greater Noida, following which the massive gathering of Congress workers along with the leaders started marching towards Hathras.

Ahead of the visit, the administration had imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 that doesn't allow gatherings of more than five people.

Accompanying Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi was UP Congress leader Ajay Kumar Lallu, who said the fight would go on. He said the Congress would continue to demand justice for the Hathras victim.