Acting swiftly on the directions of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Leh, Police on Wednesday registered an FIR against the BJP leaders accused of attempting to bribe scribes during a press conference at Leh, last week.
“An FIR has been lodged against the BJP leaders on court’sdirectives and investigations have been taken up ,” a police official toldGreater Kashmir.
Referring to an application filed by contesting Congresscandidate from Ladakh Parliamentary constituency, Rigzin Spalbar, and membersof Press Club Leh, the court said, “The instant application is allowed andStation House Officer, Police Station, Leh is permitted to investigate thematter under law.”
The court observed that the members of the Press Club hadlodged a complaint with the Returning Officer/District Election Officer, Leh,in writing alleging that on May 2 some leaders of BJP offered packetscontaining cash to the media persons at the press conference held at a localhotel.
The District Election Officer through Additional DistrictMagistrate Leh, conducted an enquiry into the matter. “The District ElectionOfficer/Dy Commissioner Leh vide letter no. Elec-HLok Sabha/20191703); dated05-05-2019 referring to the complaints and enquiry brought the matter ofviolation of Model Code of Conduct and provisions of the Representation of thePeoples Act as well as RPC, to the knowledge of SSP Leh for action under law,”the order reads.
“The SSP, Leh directed SHO Police Station, Leh for furthernecessary action under law vide her Letter No. CRB/CR/2019-5034-36 dated 6May,” the order stated.
“Perusal and consideration of the material on record revealsprima facie commission of non-cognizable offences punishable under Section 171Eand 171F RPC warranting investigation,” it said.
The BJP’s state unit chief Ravinder Raina however said thatthe envelopes given to scribes had invitations and not money.
Raina also said that he would file a defamation case againstthe Press Club Leh for naming him in the bribery complaint, which he termed as”politically motivated.”
“There will be a probe into it. We will set up acommittee to probe the allegation leveled by scribes in Leh,” he said.
Raina said that he is moving an application in Jammu andKashmir High Court to seek narco-test of the journalists and BJP leadersincluding him. “If anybody from the party is found involved, he will bedealt severely,” he said.
Raina said that the committee would submit its report aftervisiting Leh, where it will talk to journalists and others and review the CCTVfootage.