Police register case over threats to suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma

Police said on May 28, its Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit got Sharma’s complaint

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police have registered a case against unidentified people for issuing threats to suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma. In her complaint, Sharma alleged she was receiving death threats over her remarks about Prophet Muhammad, police said on Monday.

Nupur Sharma (PTI)

The case has been registered under the Indian Penal Code’s Sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence), 506 (criminal intimidation), 507 (criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).

Police said on May 28, its Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit got Sharma’s complaint. “The IFSO is a specialised unit that handles all complex and sensitive cases of cybercrime including those in which victims are women and children. On the basis of the complaint, a case was registered at the Special Cell police station. During the investigation, another complaint of Sharma was also received against certain persons regarding promoting enmity. After examining the complaint, notices have been sent to Twitter, and a reply from Twitter is awaited,” a spokesperson for the Delhi Police said.

Sharma said she lodged the complaint against unknown persons as they were daring death threats.

Qatar, Kuwait, and Iran on Sunday summoned the Indian envoys to protest controversial remarks against the Prophet. The BJP later removed its spokespersons, including Sharma, even as the government clarified that such comments were the “views of fringe elements”.