A special MP-MLA court in Saharanpur has framed charges against Congress MP Imran Masood for making objectionable comments against Narendra Modi in 2014 when he was the chief minister of Gujarat.
The charges have been framed under Section 153A, 295A, 504, 506, 3(1) 10 SC/ST Act and Section 125 of the Representation of People’s Act (PRA), which, if proved, can send him to jail for five to seven years.
Of these, Section 153A is for promoting enmity between people on the basis of place of residence, language etc. Section 295A is for the use of casteist words to promote enmity and for hurting religious sentiments. Section 504 is for use of abusive language to disturb peace while 506 is for threat to kill. This last section carries a punishment of seven years.
Section 125 of is about the offence of promoting enmity between classes in connection with election. This section carries a fine and a prison term which can extend to three years.
Masood, during an election rally in Labkari village of Deoband, Saharanpur in 2014, had said that there were four per cent Muslims in Gujarat, but 42 per cent in Saharanpur.
“Modi will be cut to pieces if he comes here,'' he had allegedly said.
Masood had also made objectionable remarks against two BSP MLAs from the SC/ST community.
On March 27, 2014, the then Kotwali in-charge of Deoband, Kusumveer Singh, had filed a case against Imran Masood on March 27, 2014 on charges of violating the code of conduct, trying to spoil the atmosphere, and using casteist words.
After the case was filed, Masood had to go to jail. He later apologised for the remarks.
The case against Masood rests on the evidence given by 19 villagers. Masood had given a discharge application, but this was rejected by the single judge bench of Justice Mohit Sharma.