Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that an FIR has been filed against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, along with party General Secretary KC Venugopal, National Students’ Union of India All India Congress Committee Incharge Kanhaiya Kumar, and others. The charges are related to various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
Sarma clarified the grounds for the FIR, citing acts of violence, provocation, damage to public property, and assault on police personnel by Congress members. The charges include sections 120(B), 143, 147, 188, 283, 353, 332, 333, and 427 of the IPC, along with Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
The decision to file the FIR stems from a clash between police and Congress workers in the Khanapara area. The Chief Minister accused Rahul Gandhi of attempting to enter Guwahati with a sizable convoy of around 3000 people and 200 vehicles. Sarma expressed concern about the potential situation if the convoy had entered Guwahati and emphasized that the Congress workers disregarded repeated instructions to take an alternative route.
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Addressing reporters, Sarma stated, “Even after saying this, they (Congress workers) clashed with the police.” He elaborated on the decision to register a criminal case against Rahul Gandhi, asserting that the Wayanad MP had actively instigated the incident by standing in the vehicle. However, Sarma clarified that the arrest would not occur immediately, but rather after the Lok Sabha election.
“We will register a criminal case against Rahul Gandhi. Police will inquire and will take action as per law. We will not arrest him yet; we will arrest him after the Lok Sabha election,” Sarma affirmed.
Rahul Gandhi is presently leading the party’s Manipur to Mumbai Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. During the Yatra’s approach to Guwahati, Congress workers clashed with Assam Police when denied entry into the city. Sarma informed that a criminal case would be initiated against Rahul Gandhi, and the police would proceed with an inquiry and subsequent arrest after the Lok Sabha polls.
As the Yatra progresses, the next destinations include Barpeta and Bongaingaon, with a scheduled public meeting in the evening at Dhubri on Wednesday.
Source: ANI News