Himachal Cong leader arrested on sedition charges

June 27, 2020 00:29

Former Congress MLA Neeraj Bharti was arrested on Friday for allegedly posting 'anti-national and objectionable materials' on the social media regarding the Sino-India standoff in Ladakh's Galwan valley, Himachal Pradesh police spokesperson Khushhal Sharma said.

The former legislator from Jawali in Kangra district was arrested in connection with a first information report registered against him under Indian Penal Code sections 124A (sedition), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) at the Crime Branch police station, CID Shimla on June 20, he added.

Bharti, a former chief parliamentary secretary (CPS), was summoned to the police station for questioning, Sharma said, adding that he was quizzed for three days from June 24 to 26 on various aspects relating to the case.

Subsequently, he was arrested in the case for investigation purposes and will be produced before the chief judicial magistrate's (CJM) court on Saturday, the police spokesperson said.

The FIR was lodged on the basis of a complaint from lawyer Narendra Guleria.

In his complaint to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the state police, Guleria alleged that messages posted by Bharti on the social media were an attempt to spread hatred and disrespect the government.

Two years ago, the Congress leader was booked for allegedly making derogatory remarks on Facebook against Bharatiya Janata Party leader Pratibha Bali, a police official in Shimla said. -- PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

SC dismisses pleas to review Article 370 revocation verdict in Dec 2023

A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud considered the pleas in chambers and dismissed applications for listing of the review petition in open Court.

Briton dead, many hurt as turbulence hits SIA flight; 3 Indians among flyers

The airline confirmed that there were injuries onboard, and stated that all "possible assistance" will be provided to the passengers on the aircraft.

Pune accident: Registration of Porsche car that mowed down 2 yet to be done

Maharashtra transport commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar told PTI that the Porsche car was imported in March by a dealer in Bengaluru and from there it was sent to Maharashtra on a temporary registration.

Phase 5 voter turnout at 62.19%; nears 2019 polling percentage

The fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections has so far registered a voter turnout of approximately 62.19 percent, 1.97 percentage points less than 2019.

Qualifier 1: How Starc ripped into in-form SRH batting

Pacer Mitchell Starc was adjudged player of the match for his sensational bowling up front when he claimed the scalps of Travis Head, Nitish Reddy and Shahbaz Ahmed in the powerplay.