Journalist Nikhil Wagle booked in Pune for post on Advani’s Bharat Ratna

Journalist Nikhil Wagle has been booked under several charges, including defamation and promoting enmity between different groups. The BJP has threatened to disrupt an event that Wagle is likely to attend in Pune on Friday.

As per the FIR, Wagle made the alleged defamatory comments in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on February 4. (Source: Facebook/Nikhil Wagle)

Pune City police have booked senior journalist Nikhil Wagle for his alleged defamatory comments against PM Narendra Modi and BJP leader LK Advani after the announcement that Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, would be conferred on the veteran politician.

Senior BJP leader Sunil Deodhar lodged the FIR at Vishrambag police station early Friday. Wagle has been booked under Sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups), 500 (punishment for defamation) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code.

As per the FIR, Wagle made the alleged defamatory comments in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on February 4.

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Deodhar had initially filed a complaint application against Wagle at Vishrambag police station seeking legal action against him. The police have now lodged an FIR in this case. Deodhar has alleged Wagle has tried to disrupt peace in the society by hurting the sentiments of people with his disparaging comments on PM Modi and Advani.

Meanwhile, Wagle posted on X that he stands by his tweet even if he is lodged in jail. “This is an undeclared emergency,” he posted on X.

Meanwhile, the Pune BJP unit has submitted a letter to Pune city police seeking that permission be denied for a ‘Nirbhay Bano’ public gathering event on Friday evening where Wagle is a key speaker. BJP has threatened to disrupt the programme.

Wagle, a Mumbai resident, said he was not afraid of such threats and wil come to Pune to attend the programme.

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