FIR of sedition against ex-AMU student leader in Lucknow

IN HIS COMPLAINT, SINGH MENTIONED THAT HE CAME TO KNOW ABOUT THE SPEECH OF USMANI VIA SOCIAL MEDIA

LUCKNOW: An FIR of sedition was lodged against former Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) student Sharjeel Usmani at Hazratganj police station here on Wednesday, over his controversial address at the Elgaar Parishad function in Pune.

Usmani is accused of inciting disharmony and offending religious beliefs of people of a certain religious group.

The FIR was lodged on the complaint of one Anurag Singh, a resident of Krishna Nagar area here. In his complaint, Singh mentioned that he came to know about the speech of Usmani via social media. He also shared a link of the video of the said speech in the complaint. The Elgaar Parishad function where Usmani gave the said speech was held on January 30.

Confirming the development, Lucknow Commissioner of Police DK Thakur said, “Based on the complaint of a local resident, an FIR under section 124A (sedition) 153A( promoting enmity between groups) ,295A (deliberate and malicious act intended to outrage religious sentiments) 298 uttering words deliberately with intent to hurt religious feelings), 505 (statement conducing public mischief) along with others has been lodged against one Sharjeel Usmani. The matter is being investigated.”

Usmani (24), a former student leader of AMU, had been arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police last year for his alleged role in the clashes that broke out following protests against the new citizenship law on the AMU campus on December 15, 2019. Usmani is currently out on bail.

Usmani had attended the Elgar Parishad event organised at Pune’s Ganesh Kala Krida Manch on January 30. Soon after, a video of him allegedly using objectionable words against the Hindu community went viral and demand for stern action against him was raised.