Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai)

Fake letter circulates on social media, declares Shiv Sena man as BJP candidate for Palghar

- Yogesh Naik yogesh.naik@hindustant­imes.com

MUMBAI: Marine Drive police has registered a case regarding a counterfei­t letter being circulated across social media declaring one Prakash Krishna Nikam as Palghar candidate of BJP. The letter has used the signature and seal of BJP general secretary Arun Singh.

Advocate Akilesh Chaubey registered a case with Marine Drive police under sections 419, 465, 468 and 47.

In his letter to Marine Drive police, Chaubey said that an unknown person was circulatin­g a fake letter typed on the letterhead of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).

An unknown individual has spread a counterfei­t letter printed on forged Bhartiya Janata Party letterhead across various social media platforms. This fake document falsely proclaims Prakash Krishna Nikam as a candidate for the Palghar constituen­cy seat.

Moreover, the imposter has fraudulent­ly utilized the signature and seal of the Arun Singh, BJP’S national general secretary. This reprehensi­ble act has not only led to confusion but has also caused distress among the party members and voters across the Palghar district, especially in light of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the complaint said.

“It is imperative that swift and decisive action be taken to identify and apprehend the perpetrato­r to prevent further disseminat­ion of false informatio­n and uphold the integrity of the electoral process,’’ he said in the letter.

Marine Drive police senior inspector Nilesh Bagul said that investigat­ions were on.

Chaubey said that Nikam is a Palghar Zilla Parishad president and belongs to Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. BJP has claimed the seat and it will be given to a BJP person. The police will find out who has forged it. Our complaint is against an unknown person, said Chaubey.

Chaubey said that this issue was also discussed with Devendra Fadnavis, deputy chief minister.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Nikam said, “The letter was circulatin­g on social media. I am from Shiv Sena and I realised it was fake. I want to contest on Shiv Sena ticket and told chief minister Eknath Shinde that I want to contest. BJP has demanded this seat. Soon after this letter was circulated, I spoke to district guardian minister Ravindra Chavan (BJP) and alerted him. Someone is trying to defame me. I am told BJP has filed a FIR and that is a good thing. I will cooperate with police”

 ?? PHOTO ?? Marine Drive police have registered a case on a fake letter carrying signature and seal of BJP’S Arun Singhht
PHOTO Marine Drive police have registered a case on a fake letter carrying signature and seal of BJP’S Arun Singhht
 ?? HT PHOTO ?? Prakash Krishna Kadam of Shiv Sena
HT PHOTO Prakash Krishna Kadam of Shiv Sena

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