Ahmedabad, 8 August 2014

The Detection of Crime Branch(DCB) today filed a closure report in a metropolitan court number 11 of Magistrate MH Patel in Ahmedabad in a case of alleged violation of model code of conduct during the Lok Sabha election this year and gave a clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The closure summary maintained that no case was made against Mr Modi.

On 30th April this year, an FIR was registered against Mr Modi, who was then the Gujarat Chief Minister, following a directive from the poll panel for allegedly violating provisions of the Representation of People Act on April 30 this year.

Mr Modi had addressed a press conference immediately after casting his vote at a school in Ranip area of Ahmedabad, where he displayed the BJP’s election symbol lotus. Accusing him of violating the election law, the Congress party had filed a complaint with the EC.

The poll panel in its order directed lodging of a complaint/FIR and said Mr Modi had violated the provisions of Sections 126 (1)(a) and 126 (l)(b) of Representation of People Act, 1951. The maximum punishment under these provisions of RPA is up to two years imprisonment.

The EC order had said, “The commission is of the view that by holding that meeting and also by addressing the same today when the polling is going on in the entire state of
Gujarat and in different parts of the country, Narendra Modi has violated the provisions of Sections 126 (1)(a) and 126 (l)(b) of RP Act 1951.

“Therefore, the commission directs … that complaint/ FIR as the case may be, should be filed against Narendra Modi and all others who were involved in the convening and holding
of the said meeting,” the EC order had said.

Section 126 (1) (a) of RP Act prohibits holding of public meetings during a period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of poll.