BJP’s Ashok Sahu arrested for hate speech

A criminal case had been registered against him on 10 April, after the returning officer of Kandhamal verified Sahu’s recorded speech at an election meeting

BJP candidate from Kandhamal Lok Sabha seat Ashok Sahu, who has been evading arrest for past three days after a case was registered against him for allegedly making a hate speech, was taken into custody today.

HT Image

Sahu, who had twice given the slip to the police, was arrested when he was participating in a motorcycle rally with party supporters at College Square in the district headquarters.

A criminal case had been registered against him on 10 April, after the returning officer of Kandhamal verified Sahu’s recorded speech at an election meeting.

"Sahu was arrested at Phulbani town," DIG (Southern Range) R P Koche told PTI over phone.

Sahu, also president of state unit of Hindu Jagaran Samukshya (HJS), during electioneering at Raikia on April five had allegedly blamed Christians for the killing of VHP leader Swami Laxamananda Saraswati on August 23, 2008.

Saraswati’s killing had led to large-scale violence, which left 43 people dead with hundreds of houses burnt and dozens of churches attacked.