Maharashtra: FIR lodged against Suresh Chavhanke, editor of Sudarshan News, case of communal speech in Sangamner

An FIR was lodged against Sudarshan News editor Suresh Chavhanke on Thursday for allegedly making a “communal speech” in Sangamner area of ​​Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district on June 6. The speech is said to have led to violence in the area and 17 people were arrested. According to the FIR, at least two people were injured and five vehicles were vandalized in the violence that followed a rally organized by Sakal Hindu Samaj where Suresh Chavhanke was one of the speakers. Chavhanke Apart from this, cases have also been registered against two other speakers associated with Bajrang Dal.

FIR in Ahmednagar based on the complaint of a policeman

According to the FIR registered at the Sangamner city police station in Ahmednagar based on a complaint by a policeman, the rally was held between 9.45 am and 12.45 pm. About 18,000 people attended it. It was held on May 25 following an alleged incident in which some people suffered minor injuries. According to the complaint filed in the FIR, Suresh Chavhanke cited a WhatsApp screenshot in which he claimed that a local Muslim man spoke to another local man about inviting Chavhanke and internationalizing a local issue. I was just complaining.

What did Suresh Chavhanke say in his speech

Suresh Chavhanke reportedly mentioned how parts of the state were “looking like Pakistan” and no one was taking any action. He further referred to “love jihad” and said Muslim women should convert to Hinduism. And should explain its benefits. He said that before giving the speech, he was warned that an FIR could be registered against him. He further said that there are 1,826 FIRs registered against him and even Dawood (Ibrahim) has so many FIRs against him. There are no FIRs.”

In January, the Supreme Court pulled up the Delhi Police in the Chavan case

Earlier in January this year, the Supreme Court pulled up the Delhi Police in the case of hate speech against Suresh Chavhanke. There an FIR was registered, but even after eight months no charge sheet was filed. Chavhanke will face at least two more cases in Maharashtra related to hate speeches in the state’s Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. However, he has not been arrested in any of the cases.

The speakers were booked under these sections of the Indian Penal Code

Case based on the video recordings of the speeches, Suresh Chavhanke and Bajrang Dal members Yogesh Suryavanshi and Vishal Vakchore were booked under section 153(A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (religion, caste, place of birth, residence or residence), a police official said. An FIR has been registered under sections 34 (common intention) and 506 (11) (public mischief at place of worship) promoting enmity between different groups. Further action is being taken in the matter, he said.