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Monday, Apr 13, 2009
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EC notice to BJP’s Kandhamal candidate

J. Balaji

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday issued notice to the former IPS officer and BJP candidate for Kandhamal Lok Sabha constituency in Orissa, Ashok Sahu, for making a “communal speech” violating the model code of conduct during electioneering at Raikia on April 5.

The Kandhamal district witnessed violence against minority Christians after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmananda Saraswathi in August last year.

Mr. Sahu has been asked to reply to the EC’s notice by 3 p.m. on Wednesday (April 15).

Two more sections

The Commission, which took the decision after reviewing the CD containing the alleged hate speeches of Mr. Sahu, also directed the Kandhamal district magistrate-cum-district election officer to add two more sections – 505 (making statement not conducive to public order) and 295 (defiling place of worship) of the Indian Penal Code – in the criminal case registered against him at the Raikia police station.

The police had originally registered cases under sections 125 (promoting enmity between classes in election) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and 153 (A) (creating enmity between two communities) of the IPC.

The case was originally registered following a complaint from the local tahsildar.

During the two-hour long speech, Mr. Sahu allegedly accused the local church of involvement in the murder of the VHP leader and added that the plot was hatched in Kerala and executed by Maoists at the behest of certain influential Christians.

He also accused a Congress leader and a church official of being involved in conversions using foreign money.

Elections 2009 — Comprehensive coverage

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