Ahmedabad: A metropolitan courtroom in Ahmedabad on Monday ordered an inquiry into the felony defamation criticism filed in opposition to Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav over his alleged comment that “only Gujaratis can be thugs”.
The criticism has been filed in opposition to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief below Indian Penal Code sections 499 and 500 (coping with felony defamation). The criticism was filed by a social employee and businessman Haresh Mehta (63).
Court to look at witnesses on May 20
The courtroom of Additional Metropolitan Magistrate DJ Parmar in Ahmedabad has ordered the inquiry below Section 202 of the CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) earlier than deciding on issuing summons to him. The courtroom is prone to look at witnesses on May 20 as a part of the method. The CrPC part 202 offers with inquiry for the aim of issuing course of (summons) based mostly on materials in opposition to the accused.
The courtroom will look at the authenticity of proof within the type of a CD (compact disc) and a pen drive containing the alleged comment of Yadav submitted by the complainant, Mehta’s lawyer PR Patel mentioned. It will even look at individuals who heard the mentioned comment within the next hearing slated on May 20, Patel mentioned.
Mehta had filed his criticism within the courtroom of metropolitan Justice of the Peace and submitted the proof of Yadav’s assertion made earlier than the media in Patna on March 21.
‘Only Gujaratis can be thugs’
In March, Tejashwi Yadav mentioned the scenario within the nation was such that solely a Gujarati might be thugs within the current scenario. “Only Gujaratis can be thugs in the present situation, and their fraud (crime) will be forgiven. Who will be responsible if they run away with the money belonging to LIC or banks?” the Bihar Deputy CM had allegedly mentioned.
His comment had come after Interpol withdrew the Red Corner Notice (RCN) in opposition to fugitive Indian diamantaire Mehul Choksi.
‘Statement defames and humiliates all Gujaratis’
The complainant mentioned the assertion, calling the whole Gujarati group as “thug”, was made earlier than the media. It defames and humiliates all Gujaratis in public. A “thug” is a rogue, sly and felony particular person, and such a comparability with the whole group will trigger non-Gujarati individuals to take a look at Gujaratis with suspicion, Mehta mentioned whereas searching for issuance of summons in opposition to Yadav and most punishment for him below the legislation.
The complainant mentioned he’s additionally a Gujarati, and when he got here throughout the information on a digital platform, he realised such a defamatory assertion will make a non-Gujarati look down upon a resident of the state as a ‘thug’.
Rahul Gandhi convicted in “Modi surname” case
It could also be famous {that a} courtroom in Gujarat’s Surat metropolis in March convicted and sentenced Congress chief Rahul Gandhi to 2 years in jail over his “Modi surname” comment. After the conviction, the previous Congress president misplaced his Lok Sabha membership.
Separately, a courtroom in Ahmedabad has issued summonses to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh in a felony defamation case filed by the Gujarat University over their remarks on the institute, asking them to seem earlier than it on May 23.
The Gujarat University had filed the case in opposition to the 2 AAP leaders over their media statements and social media posts relating to a High Court judgement given in reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s academic diploma.
(With PTI inputs)
