MNS files non-cognisable complaint against Kapil Sharma

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) registered a police complaint against him for not approaching the concerned government department to register a bribery case, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tried to approach him personally to request the same.

Two political parties responded to comedian Kapil Sharma’s tweets to Prime Minister Narendra Modi — which alleged corruption in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) — in starkly different ways. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) registered a police complaint against him for not approaching the concerned government department to register a bribery case, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tried to approach him personally to request the same.

The complaint against him is for not approaching the concerned government department to register a bribery case. (HT File Photo)

MNS corporator Sandeep Deshpande registered a non-cognisable complaint — a copy of which is with HT — against Sharma at the Versova police station on Monday. The complaint is registered under section 176 of Indian Penal Code for omission to give notice or information to public servant by person legally bound to give it.

“Sharma’s tweets fall under this section as he has not reported this incident to a competent authority such as the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the police or even the BMC. It is high time that he files a complaint. Tweeting about it is not the right procedure,” said Deshpande.

MNS MLA Ram Kadam approached the Oshiwara police station on Monday, seeking permission to meet Sharma at his residence to discuss the issue and to encourage him to file a complaint so appropriate action could be initiated. Sharma, however, was not at home.

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Kadam had also written to the Mumbai cyber police station, asking them to intiate action. Earlier, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis appealed to Sharma through twitter to register a complaint.

Sharma had tweeted, “I am paying 15 cr income tax from last 5 year n still i have to pay 5 lacs bribe to BMC office for making my office @narendramodi”. He tweeted once more, taunting the Prime Minister and asking him if these were the “Acche Din” he had proposed in his election campaign.

The tweet was sent to Modi on his Twitter handle. A media channel picked it up as soon as it went viral. Sharma received support, but also faced backlash on the site.