The Vidhana Soudha Police in Bengaluru have registered a zero FIR against Uttarakhand BJP members and others over an alleged “purification ritual” conducted at Ramlila Ground in Haldwani after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally there.
As the case has been registered as a zero FIR, it can be lodged at any police station irrespective of jurisdiction.
The complainant described the gathering as a peaceful and lawful democratic assembly. The complaint also named Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt for allegedly defending and justifying the ritual after it came under criticism. As the case has been registered as a zero FIR, it can be lodged at any police station irrespective of jurisdiction. The development has triggered a political confrontation between the Congress and the BJP.
The FIR was registered on August 31 following a complaint filed by T R Ramappa, former vice-chairman of the ST Department of the Indian National Congress. Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, addressed a public rally at Ramlila Ground in Haldwani, Nainital district, on August 8, according to the complaint.
The Vidhana Soudha Police said the FIR will be transferred to the jurisdictional police station in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, for further investigation. The Bengaluru Police will not investigate the case, the officer said, adding that similar FIRs have been registered in at least eight places across the country in connection with the incident. In his letter, Kharge said the “purification” at the venue where he had addressed the rally was contrary to the spirit of the Constitution and human values, and linked the practice to untouchability.
