Belagavi: Based on a complaint filed by an Election Commission (EC) official, BJP MLA from Belagavi rural constituency Sanjay Patil has been booked by police for his communal speech.
Marihal Police registered a case under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including 153 (A) (promoting enmity between two groups), 295 (A) (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings) and Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act. (Promoting enmity between classes in connection with election).
The FIR was registered soon after the MLA’s speech went viral on April 19.
BJP is yet to distance itself from the MLA’s commmunal statement. Meanwhile, KPCC President G Parameshwara tweeted, “Clearly, for BJP, it’s not about development. It has always been about communal politics.”
The Congress also submitted a letter to the Election Commissione stating that the statement made by the BJP leader is violation of model code of conduct.
The party further termed Patil’s statement a hate speech against the minorities which allegedly aimed to polarize votes on communal ground.
It further urged the poll body to take action against Patil to ensure free and fair probe.
Few have demanded that he should be banned from contesting elections
