Court seeks police report on Togadia`s alleged hate speech

Ahmedabad: A local court ordered the city police here on Friday to file an Action Taken Report within two weeks in connection with Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Pravin Togadia`s alleged hate speech.

"File an Action Taken Report (ATR) within 15 days in connection with the case of an alleged hate speech by Pravin Togadia in Bhavnagar city," city Chief Metropolitan Magistrate B D Goswami ordered Karanj police station of the city. In April, Togadia had asked the people of a housing society in Bhavnagar to forcibly occupy a house purchased by a Muslim in a Hindu-majority area. Aseem Darban had earlier filed a complaint before the city police station seeking action against Togadia under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. Darban later approached the local court and sought action against Togadia under Sections 153(A) and 153(B) of the IPC. Section 153(a) of Indian Penal Code deals with the `intention to cause disorder, promoting enmity between religious groups and incite people to violence`. Section 153(b) of Indian Penal Code deals with those who assert, propagate or publish that any class of persons by reasons of their being members of any religious, racial, language or regional group or caste or community be denied or deprived of their rights as citizens of India. Togadia had allegedly asked his supporters to get a house purchased by a Muslim man in a `Hindu-majority` locality near Meghani Circle area of Bhavnagar city forcibly vacated. Togadia had also allegedly told the gathering, mainly comprising local residents and Bajrang Dal workers, that they should give an ultimatum of 48 hours to the Muslim occupant to vacate his house or else they should storm it, take possession and put up a Bajrang Dal board. Togadia`s speech had sparked a controversy during the general elections. He had made the alleged `hate speech` when the model mode of conduct was in force. After his speech, the Election Commission (EC) had asked the district administration to take action against Togadia and also directed submission of an Action Taken Report as soon as possible. A complaint had also been filed against Togadia in Bhavnagar on the orders of the Election Commission.