Court hears plea against MIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi over 'hate speech'

A local court has reserved its orders till tomorrow on a petition filed by a city-based lawyer seeking action against Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi for allegedly making a "hate speech" against a particular community.

The VII Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court today heard the application of Kashimshetty Karunasagar, a practising advocate, who informed the court that he was being threatened over phone since he filed the complaint against Akabaruddin and requested the court to hear the case directly.

The court posted the matter for hearing tomorrow when it will deliver its order on whether to direct the police to file an FIR against Akbaruddin over the provocative speech, as alleged by the petitioner, or should it take direct cognisance of the offence and issue summons.

Karunasagar had filed a complaint on December 28 in the court seeking registration of a case against Akbaruddin under Section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion) and other relevant sections of the IPC.

During the hearing today, Karunasagar informed the court that he had been getting threatening calls for filing the complaint against the MIM legislator. He also submitted a copy to the court of the FIR he has filed with Saroornagar police in this regard.

The petitioner requested the court for speedy disposal of the complaint by taking direct cognisance of the matter rather than referring it to police.

"There are several complaints pending with police against him (Akbaruddin) in different issues and hence the court should itself take cognisance and issue summons against him," Karunasagar requested the court.

The lawyer alleged that he saw an online video wherein Akbaruddin, who represents Chandrayangutta Assembly seat, was seen using inflammatory and derogatory words against a particular community, while addressing a public meeting (MIM alsa) at Nirmal town of Adilabad district.

... contd.

ALSO READ

India, China end stand off, withdraw troops from Daulat Beg Oldie sector

Sonia Gandhi consults A K Antony on Pawan Bansal issue

Coalgate probe: No accused or suspect let off, says CBI chief Ranjit Sinha

UPA only worried about 'nephews and uncles': Narendra Modi