Minor held for posting derogatory comment about MLA

Dhar police on Thursday took into custody a minor boy for posting fake message on smartphone messenger WhatsApp about Dharampuri MLA Kalu Singh Thakur in which he texted Thakur was arrested under rape charges.

Dhar police on Thursday took into custody a minor boy for posting fake message on smartphone messenger WhatsApp about Dharampuri MLA Kalu Singh Thakur in which he texted Thakur was arrested under rape charges.

Class IX student Kamal Bheel from Sulibyadi village told police that he had read in the newspaper that the MLA was asked to vacate government building in Mandav. “Kamal told us that he wanted to post this message but posted another message by mistake on WhatsApp,” Mandav thana in-charge K S Rawat said.

Police registered a case against Kamal Bheel and group admin Suresh Bheel for defamation, criminal acts done in furtherance of common intention and statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will under IPC.

The duo was also slapped with Section 67 (punishment for publishing or obscene material in electronic form) of Information Technology Act.

As the message went viral, the Dharampuri MLA and his associates began search for the person. The MLA’s representative Ashok Vishwanath later filed a complaint saying the main accused deliberately posted a derogatory comment which has maligned Thakur’s image.

Police recorded statements of both the sides. Investigations are on.

In August last year, Thakur, his driver and a supporter were booked for violence at a toll booth in Indore district. An altercation had followed after employees of a toll booth refused to exempt toll tax on Thakur’s vehicle. (EOM)