File case against Vinod Khanna for provocative message: Congress to Election Commission

CHANDIGARH: Congress today sought filing of a criminal case against actor-turned-BJP candidate Vinod Khanna and one of his party colleagues for allegedly posting "highly inflammatory and provocative" hate message on social media.

In a complaint filed with the Election Commission, a copy of which was released to the media here, Punjab Congress Election Committee (Legal) Chairman Surjit Singh Swaich sought action against Gurdaspur candidate Vinod Khanna and Sanjay Sharma, Pathankot unit vice president of BJP's Yuva Morcha.

He alleged that Khanna and Sharma colluded in sending "highly inflammatory and provocative hate message" through WhatsApp, which is deliberately designed and intended to promote, incite, instigate and spread feelings of enmity, hatred and communal tension on the grounds of religion for the furtherance of election prospects of Khanna.

"A hate message has been sent from mobile phone by Sharma with the consent and connivance of Khanna," the complainant alleged.

The Congress also sought disqualification of Khanna from contesting polls.

Khanna is in the fray against Punjab Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa.