15-Apr-2024 06:45 PM
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Mumbai, Apr 15 (Reporter) The Bombay High Court on Monday asked the State Advocate General of Maharashtra government to go through alleged hate speeches delivered by MLAs Nitish Rane, Geeta Jain and Legislator T Raja during violence at Mira Road in January and determine whether action needs to be taken against them.
A bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Manjusha Deshpande was hearing a writ petition filed by resident of Mira Road seeking action against BJP MLAs Nitesh Rane, Geeta Jain (Maharashtra) and T Raja (Telangana) for allegedly delivering hate speeches and inciting violence, which erupted in January in Naya Nagar, Mira Road.
During the hearing last week, the bench had directed police commissioners of Mumbai and Mira-Bhayander to personally review recordings and transcripts of alleged hate speeches and inform the court if an FIR will be registered by the police itself.
During the hearing on Monday, the bench said that this needs to be looked into.
It further said that the court cannot stop public rallies, but expected police to take appropriate action to ensure that there is no breach of law.
And if there is a breach of law, it has to be looked into, said the bench.
The Judges hinted that in such cases the offence has to be registered against those delivering the speeches and not just against organisers of the rallies.
“Not like in the present case where FIR is against the organisers... It has to be against the one making speeches and it has to reach the logical end,” Justice Dere said.
Meanwhile, petitioners today during the hearing also pointed out that a rally will be organised on April 17 on occasion of Ram Naomi festival and the route of the rally includes minority-dominated areas, hence there is an apprehension that provocative slogans will be raised, which will again lead to law and order problem.
Upon this, the court directed police to take all preventive measures to ensure that no such incident occur once again.
The court adjourned the further hearing for a week...////...