EC crossing limits again

Ashok Sahu is a retired Police Officer contesting from the Kandhamal region in Orissa. He has been slapped with an EC notice which has also directed the District Magistrate (DM) to book cases against him that would lead to his arrest. The reason for this is said to be because of his "hate" speech.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200904122025.htm

"The Election Commission on Sunday asked the authorities in Orissa to add two more sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in the criminal case filed against Ashok Sahu, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from the Kandhamal Lok Sabha constituency, who has been booked for an inflammatory speech.

The Election Commission, which examined a CD recording of Mr. Sahu's speech, also issued notice to him for violating the model code of conduct and asked him to reply by 3 p.m. April 15.

"The Election Commission today directed the Kandhamal district magistrate that in the criminal case filed by him against Ashok Sahu for adding two more sections 505 and 295 of IPC along with existing 125 of RPA and 153 IPC," the commission said in a statement here.

"This decision was taken after examination of the CD today," it said.

While section 505 of the IPC deals with the "statements conducing to public mischief", section 295 deals with "injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class".

At a public meeting at Raikia town on April 5, Mr. Sahu had accused the church of indulging in conversion.

Kandhamal district superintendent of police S. Praveen Kumar said on Saturday that a case was registered against Mr. Sahu and the matter was under investigation.

Kandhamal district, about 200 km from Bhubaneswar, witnessed widespread communal violence after the murder of a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader in August 2008."

In what way is stating the fact that the church is involved in conversions qualify as "hate" speech?!!!

The EC has not bothered to direct the DM's to arrest Congress, Smajwadi party, RJD, Commies, MDMK................ leaders who have threatened to kill and seccede from India!!