The Barmer police in Rajasthan have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Fateh Khan, the former District President of the Congress party, for making controversial remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while the incident occurred during a protest organized by the Congress party at the Barmer district headquarters on March 13. Khan is accused of making statements that allegedly challenge the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of the nation.
Transfer of Case from Jaisalmer to Barmer
The legal proceedings began when Advocate Lalusingh Sodha filed a complaint against Fateh Khan at the Jaisalmer Kotwali police station. Since the incident took place within the jurisdiction of the Barmer Kotwali police station, the Jaisalmer police registered a 'Zero FIR' and transferred the case to Barmer for further investigation. The Barmer police have now formally registered the case and initiated a probe into the matter.
Legal Provisions and BNS Section 197
According to Nitesh Arya, the Acting Superintendent of Police in Barmer, the case against Fateh Khan has been registered under Section 197(1)(d) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). This section pertains to making imputations or assertions prejudicial to national integration and sovereignty. The police are currently analyzing the video footage of the speech and examining every word spoken during the protest to establish the legal grounds for the charges.
Details of the Controversial Statement
The controversy stems from a video circulating on social media where Fateh Khan is seen addressing a gathering during a protest against rising gas prices. In his speech, Khan allegedly made remarks regarding the Prime Minister and the United States, suggesting potential threats to the Prime Minister's safety and India's sovereignty, while he also claimed that India's foreign policy decisions, specifically regarding oil purchases from Russia, were being dictated by foreign powers.
Current Status of Police Investigation
The Barmer police are now in the process of recording statements from witnesses and collecting digital evidence related to the event. Officials stated that the video of the speech might be sent to a forensic laboratory to verify its authenticity. The investigation aims to determine whether the remarks were intended to incite public disorder or spread misinformation, while further legal action will be taken based on the findings of the ongoing investigation.