Charge sheet likely against Siddiqui, Rajbhar in Pocso Act case

The city police are likely to file a charge sheet against former BSP ministers Naseemuddin Siddiqui, Ram Achal Rajbhar and six other leaders in the Protection of Children Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act case lodged against them over derogatory remarks about BJP leader Daya Shankar Singh’s minor daughter.

Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Deepak Kumar said a forensic examination of the video footage shot during the protest confirmed that the footage was not altered and the BSP leaders seen shouting derogatory slogans will be charge sheeted in the case.

He said Hazratganj circle officer Avinish Mishra, the investigation officer, had sent a notice to eight BSP leaders to record their statements in the matter.

The charge sheet is likely to be filed as the eight leaders are unlikely to be able justify their alleged act.

Mishra said those likely to be

THEY HAD SHOUTED OBJECTIONABLE SLOGANS ABOUT SINGH’S WIFE AND MINOR DAUGHTER

charge sheeted were former ministers Naseemuddin Siddiqui, Ram Achal Rajbhar, BSP’s Lucknow district president Mewa Lal Gautam and five local leaders. He said these eight people were clearly visible shouting derogatory slogans in the footage.

He said at least eight video footages of the Bahujan Samaj Party protest were scanned in the matter.

The BSP leaders and workers had shouted objectionable slogans about Singh’s wife and minor daughter on July 21, 2016 during a protest at Hazratganj crossing over Singh’s derogatory remarks against BSP chief Mayawati.

Dayashankar Singh was arrested from Bihar on July 29 last year over his remarks and was later released on bail.

Initially, the BJP leaders were on the back foot due to Dayashankar Singh’s remarks but the Bahujan Samaj Party leaders’ derogatory slogans provided a chance to Singh’s wife Swati Singh, now a BJP minister, to turn the tables on the Mayawati-led party.

Singh’s mother Tetra Devi had also lodged an FIR against Mayawati and other BSP leaders in the matter on July 22, 2016.

Later, the POCSO Act 2012 for remarks against the minor was added in the FIR.