Chief development officer of Unnao Divyanshu Patel, who was caught on camera assaulting a journalist outside a polling centre on Saturday, has apologised to the journalist for his actions, Times of India reported.

The journalist, Krishna Tiwari, told the media that Patel had "unknowingly hit him due to some confusion" and apologised. "The officer also spoke to my family members and regretted the act," he said.

Tiwari and Patel also posed for photos.

The assault took place in Unnao's Miyaganj block during polling in the block pramukh election. Journalists later staged a protest and the state government ordered a probe.

Meanwhile, the Print reported that Patel was also the officer who had passed orders in May for the controversial demolition of a mosque in Barbanki, even as Muslim bodies alleged that the demolition was “against the law". After the row, he was shifted to his current post of chief development officer at Unnao.