By IANS,
New Delhi/Lucknow : A criminal case was Tuesday lodged against Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Lok Sabha candidate Varun Gandhi for his alleged communal campaign speeches in Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit constituency.
The non-bailable case against Varun Gandhi, the son of the late Sanjay Gandhi and Maneka Gandhi, was lodged in Barkeda police station, said District Magistrate, Pilibhit, M.P. Agarwal.
“Varun Gandhi has been booked under Section 153 (a) and Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code as well as Section 125 of the People’s Representative Act. Investigations are on,” said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Pilibhit, R.K. Chaturvedi.
While Section 153 (a) deals with “promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony”, Section 188 is on “disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant”. Section 125 of the People’s Representative Act deals with “offence of promoting enmity between classes in connection with the elections”.
The case follows the Election Commission Tuesday directing Uttar Pradesh’s chief electoral officer to file a criminal case against Varun Gandhi.
“…Election Commission directs CEO Uttar Pradesh to file a case under the Indian Penal Code and Representation of People’s Act against Varun Gandhi,” said an Election Commission statement in New Delhi.
The Election Commission, which ordered the notice to Varun Gandhi and the BJP for the violation of the Model Code of Conduct, also wanted the transfer and suspension of district officials for dereliction of duty.
“The Election Commission orders issuance of notice to BJP and Varun Gandhi for violation of Model Code of Conduct and also orders transfer of district officers and suspends two officials for dereliction of duty,” the statement said.
Varun Gandhi has created a storm by his fanatical pro-Hindu speeches where he threatened to cut off the hands of those who raise a “hand against Hindus”.
Shunning its candidate, the BJP said Varun Gandhi should apologise for his inflammatory anti-Muslim remarks that go against the party’s credo of “harmony and unity”.
“We are of the strong belief that Varun Gandhi should apologise. The BJP dissociates itself from his remarks,” Shahnawaz Hussain, the party’s spokesperson in parliament, told reporters here.