Hyderabad: Telangana Rashtra Samiti MLA Shankar Naik was Thursday arrested by the police for misbehaving with Mehbubabad district collector Dr Preeti Meena.

The arrest came a day after the MLA triggered controversy and a storm of protests when he touched the hand of the collector and passed some offensive remarks.

According to eye witnesses who were there at the programme in NTR stadium in Mahabubabad when Naik touched the hand of Dr Meena, the furious collector asked him to behave properly. But instead of saying sorry the legislator made some remarks which offended her more.

The incident occurred during an official function for launching the third phase of Haritha Haram (tree plantation) programme at Mehbubabad.

Minister Chandulal and many other dignitaries were present at the function.

Offended by the behaviour of the legislator Dr Meena walked out of the function and returned to her office where she burst into tears before her staff.

She also informed the state chief secretary S P Singh about the incident and sought his help. She also lodged a complaint with the IAS Officers Association.

According to district SP N Koti Reddy a case was registered against the MLA on the complaint of the collector by the local police station.

The case was booked under section 353 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his/her duties) and Section 354 (Assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty).

The MLA was arrested on Thursday but released on bail on his personal surety after one and a half hours.

Meanwhile, the controversial incident and sight of the collector crying left the staff and other government employees angry. A large group of employees wearing black badges held a demonstration demanding action against the MLA.

The issue created such a row that Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had to personally intervene and order the MLA Shankar Naik to immediately tender an apology to the collector. He strongly admonished the MLA and warned him against such acts which can tarnish the image of the party. According to an official press release of the CM’s office the Chief Minister warned him that if he did not change his behaviour, he would be suspended from the party.

The chief minister also asked deputy chief minister Kadiam Srihari to sort out the matter.

After getting a dressing down from the chief minister Naik reportedly came to the collectors office and tendered an unconditional apology to Dr Meena.

“She is like my sister. It happened unintentionally”, Naik said later.

However the collector was not satisfied and she was likely to raise the issue with state IAS officers association.

Meanwhile Telangana Telugu Desam working president A Revanth Reddy Thursday strongly objected to the release of TRS MLA from police station itself without producing him in the court. “This amounts to encouraging criminal elements”, he said.

Talking to media in Hyderabad he demanded the MLA should be booked under Nirbhaya Act and sent to jail. “By registering case under normal section the case was being diluted”, he said

He also demanded the ruling TRS should suspend the MLA. “Otherwise it will give an impression that the Chief Minister KCR is supporting him”, he said.

Revanth Reddy said the misbehaviour with the district collector brought to light the atmosphere in which women officials were working in the state. He said he would approach the state women’s commission regarding the issue.