Agra hate speech: VHP, BJP leaders booked

Three persons named in the FIR are VHP’s Agra district general secretary Ashok Lavania, BJP corporator and party’s Braj Region unit vice-president Kundanika Sharma and one Prashant Chowdhary.

The FIR was lodged on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Anil Kumar at Loha Mandi police station. Kumar, who is in-charge of Japraus police outpost, has stated in his complaint that he was present at Sunday’s meeting.

“Kumar has submitted a report stating that he was present at the meeting where the three named accused and others made objectionable speeches. On the basis of the report, an FIR has been lodged… We will obtain video footage of the meeting to identity other persons present there…,” ASP (Agra city) Ghule Sushil Chandrabhan said.

Loha Mandi Station House Officer and investigating officer of the case, Harendra Pal Singh, said those named in the FIR have been booked under sections 295 A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc, and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) of the IPC.

When contacted, Anil Kumar said the FIR has been filed on the basis of the video footage of the meeting.