Probe begins against Modi for code violation

The Ahmedabad Crime Branch on Thursday started investigating the case against Gujarat CM and BJP PM nominee Narendra Modi, against whom two FIRs were lodged on charges of violating the Model Code of Conduct on Wednesday after casting his vote at Ranip in Ahmedabad.
The Crime Branch has viewed the video in which Modi was seen flashing the BJP’s election symbol — the lotus — outside the polling booth even as he clicked his selfie on his mobile phone. He later displayed the symbol several times while addressing the media at a press conference near the polling booth.

Police sources said after viewing the footage, the Crime Branch will speak to polling officers on duty and others present on the spot during the event in question.

The Crime Branch, however, gave no response when asked about questioning Modi on the same and is tight-lipped about the course of investigation. The probe into the case has been handed over to Police Inspector H A Rathod of the branch. DCP Crime Himanshu Shukla will be closely supervising the case. “The Crime Branch will have to handle this case very sensitively, and submit a report to the EC. They are preparing a detailed report and will submit it in two days,” a senior police officer said.