Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): Uttar Pradesh police on Saturday booked Congress candidate and former MLA Ajay Rai for sedition over violation of model code of conduct and COVID-19 protocols, and alleged hate speech against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He is accused of flouting the model code and Covid protocols during an “unauthorised” election campaign at Rajetara village in the Pindra assembly constituency area of Varanasi district on January 31, the officials said.
Rai is a Congress candidate from the Pindra seat for the assembly elections in the state.
The FIR was lodged at the Phulpur police station on Saturday evening following a report by the local returning officer of the assembly area under IPC section 124A (sedition), 269 (unlawfully or negligently spreading infection of any disease dangerous to life), 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 153A (promoting enmity between groups on ground of religion, class etc) and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), the FIR showed.
“Multiple complaints were received regarding the episode which was also shared live by Ajay Rai on his Facebook page and cognisance of the matter taken. A four-member team was formed and all due procedures followed after which he was found guilty,” Varanasi Deputy Collector and Pindra Returning Officer Rajeev told a news agency.
The officer said the Congress leader’s response was sought over the issue but his explanation was found unsatisfactory as his interpretation of the event appeared contradictory to what was seen in the video.
“Rai has been found holding the campaign without permission, in violation of the guidelines for coronavirus and also violating the model code of conduct. During the campaign, he also used objectionable language against the prime minister and the chief minister,” the returning officer said.
Pindra, which falls in Modi’s parliamentary constituency of Varanasi, will go to the polls on March 7 during the last phase of the assembly elections in the state and the results will be declared on March 10.
(PTI inputs)
