EC orders FIR against Sadhvi Pragya Thakur over Babri Masjid demolition remark

Bhopal: The Election Commission on Monday directed the police to file an FIR against BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur for her remark on the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. 

The order was given by Bhopal District Election Officer and Collector Sudam Khade.

This came after the Election Officer found her statement in violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) which is in force during polling. 

The BJP has fielded Thakur, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast, from Bhopal parliamentary constituency.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Bhopal Sanjay Kumar Srivastava said, "Pragya Singh Thakur was issued notice by district election officer for her comment on Babri Masjid`s demolition and her response to it was not satisfactory. Therefore, an FIR has been registered against her for violation of the model code of conduct."

Sanjay Kumar Srivastava,SDM Bhopal: Pragya Singh Thakur was issued notice by district election officer for her comment on Babri Masjid's demolition and her response to it was not satisfactory. Therefore, FIR has been registered against her for violation of model code of conduct. pic.twitter.com/eqkXxQ2JY7 — ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2019

The EC had issued a show-cause notice to Pragya, who is currently out on bail, over her remark made during an interview to a news channel.

Reacting to this, Pragya said, "It is a legal matter and my legal team is looking into it."

BJP Bhopal candidate Pragya Singh Thakur on FIR registered against her for her comment on Babri Masjid demolition: It's a legal matter and my legal team is looking into it. pic.twitter.com/LxuPQJnweD — ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2019

The Babri Masjid, built by Mughal emperor Babur in 1578 in Ayodhya, was on December 6, 1992, pulled down allegedly by a group of Hindu activists, claiming that the mosque was constructed after demolishing a Ram temple that stood there. 

Thakur, who had joined the BJP on April 16, had accepted that she received two notices from the Election Commission, including on the issue of Ram temple. 

"I will respond to it lawfully," she had said. Polls in Bhopal will be held on May 12, and counting of votes will take place on May 23.