VARANASI: A case of sedition has been lodged against the former minister and Congress candidate from Pindra assembly seat in Varanasi, Ajay Rai, with Phoolpur police on Saturday for allegedly fanning hatred against prime minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Yogi Adityanath and provocating people against them while addressing a gathering on January 31.
The district election officer Kaushal Raj Sharma said that a case of provocative speech by Rai had come to light after which explanation was sought from him. The returning officer was asked to probe into the matter, he said.
Sharma further informed that after the RO submitted his probe report in this episode an FIR was lodged against Rai under section 269 (Act done unlawfully or negligently which is likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life), 124A (sedition), 153 (provocation for offence of rioting), 153A (promoting enmity or feeling of hatred), 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of IPC and 125 (Promoting enmity between classes in connection with election) of the representation of the people act.
The FIR lodged on the complaint of a police sub-inspector, who was in four-member fact finding team, contained that on January 31 Rai held a public meeting in Rajit Tara village without seeking permission from competent authority. In his speech at this public meeting Rai asked people to keep the salt safe as it will be used for burying Modi and Yogi with it on March 7. The undignified language used against PM and CM can promote hatred, enmity and cause breach of peace. Rai is charged for violation of model code of conduct, Covid-19 protocol by gathering people for public meeting without seeking permission and attempting to breech the peace in this FIR.
Reacting over lodging of a sedition case against him Rai said, “People were complaining against the salt being distributed among them with free ration kits and from the fair price shops. As health hazardous particles were being found in such salt packets containing the photographs of Modi and Yogi I had asked to keep it for burying on March 7. However, it was given different colour and serious charges were levelled on me by misusing the power.”
The district election officer Kaushal Raj Sharma said that a case of provocative speech by Rai had come to light after which explanation was sought from him. The returning officer was asked to probe into the matter, he said.
Sharma further informed that after the RO submitted his probe report in this episode an FIR was lodged against Rai under section 269 (Act done unlawfully or negligently which is likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life), 124A (sedition), 153 (provocation for offence of rioting), 153A (promoting enmity or feeling of hatred), 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of IPC and 125 (Promoting enmity between classes in connection with election) of the representation of the people act.
The FIR lodged on the complaint of a police sub-inspector, who was in four-member fact finding team, contained that on January 31 Rai held a public meeting in Rajit Tara village without seeking permission from competent authority. In his speech at this public meeting Rai asked people to keep the salt safe as it will be used for burying Modi and Yogi with it on March 7. The undignified language used against PM and CM can promote hatred, enmity and cause breach of peace. Rai is charged for violation of model code of conduct, Covid-19 protocol by gathering people for public meeting without seeking permission and attempting to breech the peace in this FIR.
Reacting over lodging of a sedition case against him Rai said, “People were complaining against the salt being distributed among them with free ration kits and from the fair price shops. As health hazardous particles were being found in such salt packets containing the photographs of Modi and Yogi I had asked to keep it for burying on March 7. However, it was given different colour and serious charges were levelled on me by misusing the power.”
.