In an incident caught on camera, Karnataka Energy Minister DK Shivakumar hit a man and slapped his hand off, after the latter was trying to click a selfie behind him at a public event.
According to reports, the incident occurred at a child right’s event in a Belgaum college, when Shivakumar was addressing the media.
The short video, shows a man holding a phone above his head and ready to take a selfie, while Shivakumar is in front of him, addressing a few reporters.
The Karnataka Minister is seen turning, and smacking the man's arm, following which the phone falls out of his hand.
Watch the video below.
#WATCH Karnataka Min DK Shivkumar hits a man who was taking a selfie during a child rights event at a college in Belgaum (Mobile Video) pic.twitter.com/Sc2jMyK08a
— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017
Speaking to ANI later, the Minister said it was a 'normal' incident, and said that the selfie was uncalled for.
"Have basic common sense. When I'm doing my responsibility and addressing the press how can someone come out for a selfie? It was a normal incident," he said.
Earlier this month, the Minister was facing flak, after Income Tax officials questioned him and his family members over seized documents and related assets including cash, jewellery and other properties.
"Shivakumar and his family members were questioned in continuation to his properties seized during the raids in August. They were asked for clarifications regarding the assets," a senior tax official told IANS in Bengaluru..
Shivakumar’s mother, wife daughter and brother were all questioned at the main Income Tax Department Office.
Speaking to reporters after the questioning, Shivakumar said: "The Income Tax officials wanted more information from me and my family members and questioned all of us individually and took our statements."
Calling himself an "open book", the Minister said he had "violated no law".
"I respect the law of the land and have been cooperating with officials throughout," Shivakumar said.
Shivakumar is the Congress MLA from Kanakapura segment in Ramanagara district near Bengaluru.
IANS inputs