Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was booked by Odisha’s Jharsuguda police on Friday in connection with a speech he made last month, reported The Indian Express, quoting police sources.
On February 7, the police registered an FIR against Gandhi based on a complaint from one Rama Hari Pujhari, a resident of Sarabhal in Jharsuguda and a local BJP functionary.
The complaint pertains to a speech that the Congress MP made at the inauguration of party’s new headquarters at Kotla Road near Rouse Avenue District Court Complex in Central Delhi on January 15.
During his address, Gandhi accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and BJP of “capturing every single institution” in the country, claiming that his party was not only fighting the BJP “but the Indian state itself”.
Filing the complaint on behalf of the BJP, the RSS, and other similar right-wing outfits, the BJP worker accused Gandhi of “deliberately giving anti-national statements which hurt each and every Indian individual”.
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The police have registered the FIR under Sections 152 (threatening India’s sovereignty, unity and integrity) and Section 197 (1) (d) of BNS (which prohibits making or publishing false or misleading information that threatens India’s security and unity) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The complaint stated that the statement by Gandhi had ” crossed the limits of freedom of speech.”
“By declaring his fight against the Indian State itself, he has consciously incited subversive activities and rebellion among the populace. The activities have undermined the sovereignty and integrity of India,” the complaint alleged further.
Himansu Kumar Lal, IG (northern range) told the IE that he has received a complaint from BJP leaders and some other organisations on February 5. “I had directed the Jharsuguda SP to investigate the matter thoroughly. Hence, the case has been registered. We are investigating the matter,” Lal said.
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