Communal' film lands BJP's Sangeet Som in trouble

Lucknow: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Sangeet Som, an accused in the Muzaffarnagar riots case, has been charged with instigating communal hatred in his constituency, Sardhana, in Meerut district.

He was booked along with Chandra Shekhar for allegedly screening a documentary that had communal content. A case has been registered under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, and the Representation of People Act.

The police on Tuesday night seized a pen drive and a vehicle from the legislator’s supporter and driver in Alamgir Faridpur village.

They were accused of screening the documentary, which allegedly glorified Mr Som in his constituency, Sardhana, without taking permission from the Election Commission of India.

The documentary purportedly showed Mr Som’s role in the Bisada and Kanth incidents, and his arrest from Salawa village after the Muzaffarnagar riots, thereby projecting him as the saviour of Hindus.

Villagers, who informed police about the documentary, claimed it was screened “deliberately” to instigate communal passions. A team of officials examined the 20-minute documentary and found it unfit for screening.

SP (rural) Shravan Kumar Singh said Mr Som’s aide had taken permission for an election campaign, but did not seek certification for the content of the documentary.

Mr Som was booked under the National Security Act in connection with the Muzaffarnagar riots.