Criminal case filed against Karnataka Deputy CM for "hate speech"

SHIMOGA: Days after making an alleged "hate speech" against a minority community, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa was slapped with a criminal case today after electoral officials issued directions for it.

The case was registered and an FIR filed as per the directions of chief of Flying Squad of poll code enforcement for the May five Assembly elections at the order of Deputy Commissioner and District Electoral Officer Vipul Bansal.

Cases under IPC sections as also under Representation of People Act have been booked after the squad submitted the video recording of Eswarappa's speech at a conference here on Sunday, police said.

A local court on Wednesday had admitted a complaint against Eshwarappa for making a "hate speech" on a complaint by the President of minority cell of the district Congress, Sayad W Addu, who accused him of "instigating" a particular community against others and violating the code of conduct.

Congress and a number of individuals had filed complaints with district authorities and returning officer against Eshwarappa for alleged violation of the model code of conduct and instigating communal hatred.

If the case is proved, Eshwarappa has to face a jail term of three years.