Telangana police book Digvijaya for remarks about bogus IS site

Hyderabad, May 4 (IANS): The Hyderabad Police on Thursday registered a case against senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh for his claim that Telangana Police had set up a bogus site of terror outfit Islamic State to trap Muslim youths.

The case was registered at Jubilee Hills police station on complaints by M. Gopinath, a local legislator belonging to the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), and another person.

It was registered under Indian Penal Code’s Sections 505 (1) (publishing material with intention to cause fear among people), 505 (1)(b) intentionally causing alarm among public), and 505 (2) (statements conducing to public mischief).

Though the complaint was submitted on May 1, the day Digvijaya Singh made the tweet, police registered the case only after seeking legal opinion.

In a series of tweets, the Congress General Secretary said:

“Telangana Police has set up a bogus ISIS site which is radicalising Muslim youths and encouraging them to become ISIS modules.

“The issue is whether Telangana Police should be trapping Muslim youths in becoming ISIS modules by posting inflammatory information?

“Is It ethical? Is it moral? Has KCR authorised Telangana Police to trap Muslim youths and encourage them to join ISIS? If he has, then shouldn’t he own the responsibility and resign? If he hasn’t, then shouldn’t he enquire and punish those who are responsible for committing such a heinous crime?”

Police said, if needed, they will call the Congress leader for questioning.

The tweets of Digvijaya Singh, in-charge of party affairs in Telangana, drew strong reaction from the TRS government, which asked him to either unconditionally withdraw the allegations or show evidence.

Cabinet Minister K.T. Rama Rao, son of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, said if Digvijaya Singh failed to withdraw the allegations, the government would be forced to consider other options.

“Most irresponsible and reprehensible thing coming from a former CM. Request you to withdraw these comments unconditionally or provide evidence,” tweeted Rama Rao.

Telangana police chief Anurag Sharma had said that unfounded allegations from a senior responsible leader will lower the morale and image of police which is engaged in fighting anti-national forces.

Digvijaya Singh, however, said that he stood by his comments. He told a television channel that whatever he said was based on the information received from his sources and after verifying the same with many people.