SP man 'poisoned' by sweets after poll win

MEERUT: Samajwadi Party leader Shahid Abbasi was a happy man on Saturday evening - his wife Nazreen had won the election for councillor from Rashid Nagar ward and the entire family was busy in celebrations. However, Abbasi's joy was short-lived as his condition suddenly deteriorated and he had to be rushed to the intensive care unit of a city hospital for urgent treatment.

Abbasi, a former leader of Samajwadi Party (SP) corporators, was allegedly served poisoned sweets at a felicitation ceremony to mark his wife's victory. "Shahid was poisoned during the celebrations. He had himself retained the Rashid Nagar seat thrice. He suddenly started bleeding from the mouth and doctors claim that he most likely consumed some poisoned substance. We have filed a complaint at Lisari Gate police station," said Abid Abbasi, brother of Shahid.

While the party is waiting for a medical report to file a police complaint, Abbasi's family has alleged poisoning at the behest of a disgruntled rival. "We are waiting for the medical report to confirm poisoning, following which we would take up the matter with senior police officials," SP's Meerut president Rajpal Singh said.

Senior party leaders, including SP's lone MLA in the district, Rashid Ansari, visited Abbasi in the hospital on Sunday and raised concerns over the incident.