Arun Jaitley questions FIRs filed against Narendra Modi

Ahmedabad, 30 April, 2014

The senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley here today questioned the Election Commission’s directive to file criminal case against the media, besides Narendra Modi, for violation of election norms.

“They have asked (Gujarat authorities) to file an FIR against the media for asking questions. Well if that is the situation, then I think (its) legality is in seriousness (sic),” Jaitley said, after casting his vote at a polling booth off Sarkhej-Gandhinagar highway here.

Jaitley, who is contesting Lok Sabha election from Amritsar, is a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat.

Earlier today, Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi landed in trouble as he addressed the media after casting his vote at a polling booth in Ranip area, and displayed replica of his party’s symbol, lotus.

Congress’s legal cell secretary K C Mittal promptly filed a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging that Modi’s speech and display of symbol violated of section 126 of Representation of People Act.

The EC ordered the Gujarat Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to file FIR, following which Ahmedabad crime branch filed FIRs, against Modi and the news-channels.

Under section 126 (1) (a) and (b), public meetings during period of 48 hours ending with hour fixed for conclusion of poll are prohibited.

BJP reaction

The BJP came out strongly in defence of Modi, claiming he had not violated electoral laws as he was beyond the prohibited 100 metres of the polling booth when he spoke to the media. It said the FIR against him will have to abide by the process of law.

The party also asked whether the rights of the media, which is free under the Constitution, can be curtailed within the ambit of the Model Code of Conduct, saying it “is a larger question of Constitutional significance”.