They are accused of rioting and damaging property as also leading a crowd where anti-Muslim slogans were raised
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Chhattisgarh Police on Friday booked Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Santosh Pandey and former lawmaker Abhishek Singh on charges of rioting and damaging property during a rally of Hindutva supporters in Kawardha town on Tuesday, reports said. Singh is the son of Raman Singh, former chief minister of the state.
“Based on initial investigation, we have booked both Pandey and Singh for rioting and damage of property along with other leaders of Hindu outfits,” Superintendent of Police Mohit Garg was quoted in a Hindustan Times report, adding that the police have opened an investigation into the violence.
The two leaders are also seen in viral videos leading a crowd of Hindutva supporters shouting provocative slogans using anti-Muslim slurs — “Jab katuwe (slang for Muslims) kaate jaenge, Ram Ram chillayenge” (when Muslims are slaughtered they will shout Ram Ram).
पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री रमन सिंह के बेटे अभिषेक सिंह की यात्रा निकल रही है। विडियो में 24 सेकेंड के बाद क्या बोला जा रहा है।खुद ही सुन लीजिए।
मैं ऐसे शब्द नहीं लिख पाऊँगा pic.twitter.com/mW1S6aMHIE— Aadesh Rawal (@AadeshRawal) October 8, 2021
Garg confirmed the presence of both Pandey and Singh in the rallies that saw violent attack on Muslim properties in the town.
The HT report said that police have so far arrested at least 95 people in connection with communal violence that broke out over the issue of removal of religious flags from a thoroughfare.
