T’gana court acquits AIMIM’s Akbaruddin in hate speech cases

HYDERABAD: A special sessions court for MPs and MLAs on Wednesday acquitted AIMIM lawmaker Akbaduruddin Owaisi in two cases pertaining to alleged hate speeches in Nirmal and Nizamabad districts of Telangana in 2012.

Akbaruddin, younger brother of AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, represents the Chandrayangutta assembly constituency in the old city of Hyderabad and is also the party’s floor leader in the Telangana legislative assembly.

Speaking to reporters at the metropolitan courts complex at Nampally, Akbaruddin’s lawyer MA Azeem said the court gave his client the benefit of doubt as evidence produced by the prosecution was not sufficient to prove the guilt. “The report of the CFSL produced by the prosecution (to prove that the voice in the video clipping of the alleged hate speech was indeed that of Akbaruddin) was not corroborated by other evidence and the court cannot convict the accused based only on the FSL evidence,” Azeem said.

The court, however, advised Akbaruddin not to indulge in provocative speeches in the future keeping in view the national integrity. It also directed that no celebrations or processions by AIMIM workers should be held over the judgment, Azeem said.

One of the cases pertains to an alleged derogatory remark Akbaruddin made against Hindu gods on December 8, 2012 at Bodhan in Nizamabad district. The other relates to a speech he made at Nirmal town on December 22, 2012, wherein he allegedly threatened to balance the Hindu-Muslim population if the police forces were kept away for just 15 minutes.