EC notice to Navjot Sidhu for warning Muslims about division of votes
New Delhi, Apr 21: The Election Commission Saturday issued a showcause notice to Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu for his remarks in which he allegedly warned the Muslim community that efforts were on to divide their votes in Bihar.
The EC said prima facie he has violated provisions of the model code of conduct, election law and a Supreme Court direction asking politicians not to mix religion with political discourse while electioneering.
The Punjab minister has been asked to respond within 24 hours, failing which the EC will take a decision without further reference to him.
The poll panel pointed out that an FIR has already been lodged against him in Bihar's Katihar under some sections of the penal code and section 123 of the Representation of the People Act.
Section 123 (3) bars promotion of, or attempt to promote, feelings of enmity or hatred between different classes of the citizens of India on grounds of religion, race, caste, community, or language, by a candidate or his agent or any other person.
Addressing an election rally in Katihar on April 16, the cricketer-turned-politician had stoked a controversy as he urged Muslim voters of a Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar with a sizeable population of the minority community to vote en bloc and defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The comments by former test cricketer came at a rally in Katihar, where he was canvassing in support of veteran Congress leader and former Union minister Tariq Anwar.
"Do not consider yourself as being in a minority. You constitute the majority here. You are about 64 per cent. Do not fall into the trap laid down by people like Owaisi (president of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen). They have been propped up by the BJP," Sidhu had said on Monday at a rally held at Barasol, in the Balrampur assembly segment under the Katihar Lok Sabha seat in Bihar.
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Six arrested in Bengaluru drug racket; narcotics worth Rs 20 crore seized
Bengaluru: Six persons have been arrested for allegedly procuring banned narcotic substances at low prices and selling them for profit, with college students among the buyers, police said on Tuesday.
Police seized 8 kg 58 g of MDMA, 5 kg 700 g of hydro ganja, four mobile phones, and a car used to transport the drugs. The total value of the seized items is estimated at Rs 10.05 crore, while the market value is around Rs 20.10 crore, The Times of India reported.
The arrests followed searches carried out at various locations based on specific intelligence inputs.
Police said information had been received about the sale of banned drugs, including MDMA and hydro ganja, within the limits of Yeshwanthpur and Nandini Layout police stations.
“During these operations, six individuals were detained on different dates, two from other states and four locals,” a statement issued by the office of City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said.
“Upon interrogation, the accused confessed that they were purchasing banned drugs such as MDMA and hydro ganja at low prices from unknown inter-state and local suppliers and selling them to the public, with college students among the buyers, for profit,” the statement added.
Police said efforts are underway to identify and trace the suppliers involved in the network.
All six accused have been produced before a court on different dates and remanded to judicial custody, police said.
