Hate Speech: Plea in Bombay High Court seeks FIR against BJP's Nitesh Rane, Geeta Jain and T Raja

A petition was filed before Bombay High Court on Thursday seeking registration of criminal cases against Maharashtra BJP MLAs Nitesh Rane and Geeta Jain and Telangana MLA T Raja Singh for alleged hate speeches during the Mira Road violence which erupted in January 2024. .The petitioners, who are five residents from Mumbai including two victims of the violence, approached the High Court stating they were compelled to approach courts since no first information report (FIR) was registered by the police against the three leaders.The petition highlighted that on January 21, 2024, violence erupted inside a minority locality in Mira Road which spread across the town. While it continued, Rane with Jain visited parts of Mira road and openly threatened minority community through their speeches. T Raja also made certain communal remarks during his Mira Road rally on February 25, the petitioners stated. The petition also highlighted that Rane visited other suburbs like Govandi and Malvani and gave more hate speeches. .The local citizens approached police and requested for registration of FIRs against the MLAs. However, no action was taken, the plea said..The petitioners said the Mumbai police failed to take suo motu action of registering FIRs against such hate speeches in compliance with the mandate of the Supreme Court. "Such action is to be taken irrespective of the religion of the maker of the speech or the person who commits such act, so that the secular character of India is preserved and protected," the petition highlighted. The plea claimed that the police in that area failed to register FIRs even though there were several media reports about the same. .The petition therefore, sought directions to Mumbai police to register FIR against Rane, Jain and T Raja for offences under Sections 153 (provocation with intent to cause riots), sections 153A, 153B (promoting enmity between groups), 295A (defiling place of worship), 504 and 505 (statements breaking public peace, causing mischief) of the Indian Penal Code..The petition is likely to be heard on March 27.