PM Narendra Modi flashing the controversial BJP symbol
The Gujarat High Court on Thursday rejected the petition against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for alleged poll code breach during the 2014 general elections.
The Gujarat High Court on Thursday rejected the petition against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for alleged poll code breach during the 2014 general elections. The petition had been filed by former AAP member Nishant Verma.
On April 30, 2014, when voting was underway for 26 Lok Sabha seats of Gujarat, Modi, then the CM of Gujarat, had addressed a press meet immediately after he exercised his franchise at a school in Ranip area in Gujarat and displayed his party's symbol lotus.
EC had then directed the Crime Branch to register an FIR and probe the alleged breach of poll code by Modi. Police lodged FIR under section 126 (1)(a) of Representation of People Act (RPA) for holding a public meeting when polling was underway and also under Section 188 of IPC for violating election notification.
However, Verma moved the local court seeking inclusion of additional sections, including 130 of RPA and 114 and 171 (c) of IPC in the FIR. RPA Section 130 prohibits any person from canvassing for votes or exhibit any notice or signs relating to election within the polling station. IPC Section 114 deals with role of abettor present when offence is committed.
Related Read: Gujarat HC to hear PM Narendra Modi's poll code breach case on Oct 23