Sambit Patra booked for tweets against Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi

In the FIR, it has been claimed that BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra in his tweets had levelled false allegations against Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi in connection with the Kashmir issue, 1984 anti-Sikh riots and Bofors scam.

Updated on: May 12, 2020, 05:08:30 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

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Chhattisgarh police on Monday registered a case against BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra in Raipur for allegedly promoting enmity between different groups and hurting religious feelings by his tweets against former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi.

Sambit Patra has been accused of using derogatory language against the former PMs that could incite any class or community of person to commit any offence against any other class or community. (PTI)

According to the FIR, the case has been registered with Civil Lines police station of Raipur on the complaint of state Youth Congress president Poornachand Padhi.

“We have registered a case against Patra under various sections of IPC on the complaint of Padhi and investigation in the case is going on,” said Arif Sheikh, Raipur’s superintendent of police.

The case has been registered under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc), 505(2) (statements conducing to public mischief) and 298 (uttering, words of Indian Penal Code ( IPC).

Padhi claimed that Patra in his tweets had levelled false allegations against Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi in connection with the Kashmir issue, 1984 anti-Sikh riots and Bofors scam.

Padhi in his complaint said that the two former PMs were never convicted in any case of corruption or riots.

“Moreover when the country is going through the biggest challenges, the act of tweeting such content on social platforms is not only prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony between different religious groups, communities but is likely to disturb the public tranquillity,” Padhi said in the complaint.

Padhi claimed the tweets were made with an intention to hurt religious sentiments.

“There is also likelihood that the tweet may cause fear in the Sikh community and induce any person of the community to commit an offence against the state or against the public tranquility,” the FIR alleged.

Padhi in his FIR further alleged Patra of using derogatory language against the former PMs that could incite any class or community of person to commit any offence against any other class or community.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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