Hyd police book BJP MLA Raja Singh for threatening UP voters

Hyderabad: The city police has filed an FIR against BJP MLA from Goshamahal T. Raja Singh for threatening people to vote for the Bhartiya Janta Party in the Uttar Pradesh elections.

The FIR was filed at the Mangalhat police station.

This comes after the Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered an FIR against the BJP MLA and barred him from making public statements for 72 hours regarding the ongoing elections in view of his recent statements threatening Uttar Pradesh voters.

"In view of the show-cause notice issued to Telangana BJP MLA T. Raja Singh for prima facie violation of Model Code of Conduct and no reply despite seeking time extension till today afternoon, it'll be presumed that he has nothing to say in the matter and EC will take further action," the order read.

Mr. Singh has been booked under sections 505(2), 171-C, and 171-F of the IPC and sections 123 and 125 of the Representation of People Act.

ECI had issued a notice to the MLA on 16 February regarding an objectionable statement he made in a video that went viral. While Mr. Singh was given 24 hours to respond, he sought more time till 21 February. Considering his request, the Election Commission extended the time till 1 p.m on 19 February.

The Commission said it informed the same via email and that in the event of no response from his side within the stipulated time, it will be presumed that he has nothing to say and the Election Commission will take appropriate action or decision in the matter without making any further reference.

On Saturday evening, the ECI confirmed that it has not received any response from Mr. Singh.

The Commission noted that the MLA had violated the Model Code of Conduct along with Section 171 F of the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of People Act 1951.

The Telangana Chief Electoral Officer has been ordered to file an FIR against him under the relevant sections and Acts.

"The Commission further orders under Article 324 of the Constitution of India and all other powers enabling in this behalf, to prohibit him from holding any public meetings, public processions, public rallies, roadshows and interviews, public utterances in media (electronic, print, social media), etc, in connection with ongoing elections for 72 hours from 06:00 pm on 19th February 2022 (Saturday)," the order further said.