Akbaruddin Owaisi's hate speech case: A detailed report
MIM
legislator Akbaruddin has been finally taken into the custody by Nirmal
police after so much of tension and drama. He was shifted to the same
jurisdiction (Nirmal of Adilabad district) where Akbaruddin allegedly
gave inflammatory speech targeting and insulting beliefs of a particular
class. As Akbaruddin's vehicle moved along with the police towards
Nirmal, a few activists of MIM followed the vehicle. Why they were
following the vehicle and how long would they follow the convoy were the
questions that were being discussed at many chai shops and country
snack stalls in the city this evening when the news broke out that
Akbaruddin Owaisi was arrested.
What happened to Akbaruddin and why was he arrested?
MIM
party directly took on chief minister Kiran Kumar when it withdrew from
Congress government reportedly over old city temple row. The party
members then said they would tour state and put Congress at shame.
Reportedly as a part of the same, Akbaruddin was touring several places
of the state and on December 22nd night, he gave a speech for
over one-and-half-hour. Scores of people were present over there
(reportedly included minors too). He gave hate speech that was recorded
and kept on You Tube. Akbaruddin allegedly questioned the beliefs of
certain class and even questioned the government besides terming
terrorist Kasab as wo bachcha.
Media plunges into action:
The
hate speech videos caught the attention of the media and it swiftly
plunged into the action. The national television channels organized wide
range live debates and questioned the Andhra Pradesh chief
minister,home minister and DGP as to why no action was taken against
Akbaruddin. DGP Dinesh Reddy next day told the media that since
Akbaruddin was a legislator they took the legal opinion due to which the
inquiry got delayed.
Cases:
In
total, over half-a-dozen criminal cases were filed against Akbaruddin
Owaisi for the hate speech. Out of all the cases, the main one that
caught national media's attention was the case filed by one Shabnam, a
social activist. Her case against Akbaruddin was registered under IPC
Sec 153 A (promoting enmity between people on the grounds of religion).
A
petition was also filed in Nampally Court by an advocate. The court
took the cognizance of the petition and directed city police to file
case against him. Accordingly, police booked Akbaruddin under Sec 153 A
of IPC at Osmania University campus police station.
There
were several other cases filed at several police stations. But this
particular case, wherein Akbaruddin was arrested, was filed by Nirmal
police (the jurisdiction where Akbaruddin gave hate speech). Nirmal
police, a couple of days back, tried to take Akbaruddin into the custody
but he was not available. Later, the police stuck notices to walls of
Akbaruddin's residence. Meanwhile, MIM supremo Asaduddin Owaisi has said
that Akbaruddin didn't abscond and stressed that he would come back.
Accordingly, Akbaruddin Owaisi returned to Hyderabad on January 7th
morning. He, immediately, sent two of his advocates to Nirmal on his
behalf, as he received summons. Akbar's counsels pleaded the police that
Akbaruddin would need another four days' time to appear before the
police in person since e was not keeping well.
The
same day, Akbaruddin moved a petition in Andhra Pradesh High Court
praying that the court should be directing Nirmal police not to arrest
him besides appealing for quashing the cases filed against him. This
move of Akbaruddin apparently suspected the police that Akbaruddin might
have intentions for resisting arrest.
Today,
in the early hours Nirmal police arrived at Akbaruddin's residence and
served summons on him asking him to attend medical tests to prove his
point that he was really not well. Accordingly, Akbaruddin arrived at
Gandhi hospital in Hyderabad at around 11 am and underwent 11 tests for
more than two hours. Later, Akbaruddin said he would leave for home but
police detained him stating that he would not be allowed to move out
until medical reports come.
Finally,
the medical reports came and they apparently stated that Akbaruddin was
not facing new medical complications. This reportedly gave enough
evidence to Nirmal police that they can take Akbaruddin Owaisi into
their custody. Eventually, Akbaruddin was arrested and shifted to Nirmal
police station.
Cases under which he was booked:
Akbaruddin Owaisi was booked under two major cases:
-
IPC Section 153 A-Promoting enmity between two groups (based on religion)
-
IPC Section 121-Waging war or attempting to waging war or abetting to waging war against Government of India
Punishment:
If
a person booked under IPC Section 153 A is found guilty of the offence,
he/she would be punished with imprisonment up to three years to which
fine may be added to.
If a person booked under IPC Section 121 is found guilty of the offense, he/she would either face death penalty or life imprisonment.
In
the wake of Akbaruddin's arrest, tight security has been beefed up in
and around Hyderabad besides Nirmal. CrPC Section 144 has been imposed
in Nirmal. As said by chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy and central
minister Chiranjeevi that the law will take its due course of action,
today Akbaruddin Owaisi was arrested.
(AW Phani)
