Sedition case plea against Mani Shankar Aiyar transferred

New Delhi: The Delhi police on Saturday informed a court that a BJP leader’s plea for lodging a sedition case against suspended Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar for allegedly using derogatory remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been transferred to the crime branch.

A report was submitted in the court of the Metropolitan Magistrate, Manika, who was on leave on Saturday, in pursuance to the court’s direction to the police to submit an action taken report in the matter.

Due to the the magistrate’s absense, the hearing has now been deferred to May 4.

The matter pertains to a complaint filed by BJP leader Ajay Agrawal against Mr Aiyar seeking lodging of a sedition case against him for hosting Pakistani officials, which allegedly “posed a threat to national security”.

“A matter pertaining to Mani Shankar Aiyar was already pending investigation with crime branch Delhi. Therefore, by the orders of senior officers, the complaint of Ajay Agrawal was sent to deputy commissioner of police, Crime Branch, for further course of action at their end,” the report filed through sub inspector Deepak Panwar said.

The report said the court may seek Action Taken Report (ATR) from the crime branch in this matter. “It is therefore requested that the investigating officer of Crime Branch Delhi may be directed to submit the action taken report before the court,” it said. The plea by Mr Agrawal, who contested the last Lok Sabha election against UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi from Rae Bareli, said the meeting was held at the south Delhi residence of Mr Aiyar  and was attended by Pakistan’s high commissioner and an ex-foreign minister of the neighbouring country among others. The court had earlier directed Mr Agrawal the petitioner to supply copies of the documents in court.