Prophet remarks row: BJP Goshamahal MLA Raja Singh arrested again
By Newsmeter Network Published on 25 Aug 2022 10:51 AM GMT
Hyderabad: Two days after getting arrested and being released on bail, Bharatiya Janata Party's Goshamahal MLA Raja Singh was once again arrested on Thursday afternoon by the Hyderabad city police for making derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad.
According to reports, he has been arrested from his residence in Goshamahal and shifted to an undisclosed location. At the time of the arrest, his supporters were raising slogans like 'Jai Shri Ram'.
On the morning of 25 August, the Shahinayathgunj and Mangalhat police stations, hinting at Raja Singh's arrest, had issued 41(A) CrPC notices to the MLA. The first notice issued by Shahithyathgunj police, stated, "On 4 April 2022, we received a complaint from sub-inspector G. Rajeshwara Reddy of Shahinayathgunj police station, against you (Raja Singh) for playing a provocative song at Begum Bazar Chatri, Hyderabad, on 10 April at about 8 p.m during Sri Ramanavami procession, 2022." A case under sections 153 (A), 295(A), 504, and 505 (2) of the Indian Penal Code was booked against the MLA.
The second CrPC notice, issued by the Mangalhat police, referred to a complainant filed in February 2022. It read, "A complaint referred from the chief electoral officer and secretary to the government of Telangana, against you (referring to the MLA) for making objectionable comments in a video which was widely circulated on various media platforms. The comments are utterly irresponsible and intimidating to the voters and have the undertone and propensity to undue influence the election in the state of Uttar Pradesh."
The arrest also comes amidst massive, widespread protests in the city demanding the arrest of the MLA. On Wednesday night, huge protests were seen in Shalibanda and other areas of the Old City. Over 600 people took part in the protests that happened in the Shali Banda area against Raja Singh on Wednesday night. Around 127 protestors were arrested from Shalibanda and then later released.
On 22 August, MLA Raja Singh released a controversial video on Shree Ram Telangana, a YouTube channel, where he made derogatory comments about Prophet Muhammad. Following this, widespread protests were seen across the city, especially in the Old City area.
On the morning of 23 August, Raja Singh was arrested by the police. Later in the evening, he was produced before the Nampally court where he was released on bail. His release triggered more protests in the city.
