Rabri in dock for getting ‘personal’ with Nitish

NEW DELHI: Criminal case has been filed against former chief minister Rabri Devi for making "false" personal remarks against Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lallan at an election meeting in Saran, Bihar.

"A case has been registered against Ms Rabri Devi under Section 171(G) of the Indian Penal Code (making false statement in connection with an election) and Section 125 of the Representation of Peo-ple's Act (promoting enmity)," an EC spokesperson confirmed here on Monday.

The FIR was filed at the Bheldi police station late on Sunday night following the report of the magistrate deployed at the public meeting at Garkha village where the former Bihar chief minister made the "objectionable" remarks. She is said to have used abusive language to describe the ties between Mr Nitish Kumar and Lallan Singh.

The references raised a furore in NDA in Bihar, with Mr Kumar seeking stern legal action against Ms Rabri Devi for the "rude and insulting remarks." "I am also a politician and I want respect and protection of my pres-tige. Stern legal action must be taken against Rabri Devi for her utterances against us," Mr Kumar was quoted as saying by news agencies.

"JD(U) and NDA have taken her insulting remarks seriously and all possible legal actions are being explored to get her prosecuted," he said adding that law must take its own course.Taking serious offence to Ms Rabri Devi���s remarks, the Bihar chief minister had on Sunday said: ���It is a manifestation of her frustration and we���ll explore all legal options against her.���

The EC, meanwhile, is also examining a new complaint alleging distribution of currency notes by SP leader Abu Azmi to voters in Mumbai. It is awaiting a preliminary report from the DM concerned and will accordingly proceed with the case.

The EC has also asked three senior officials of the Commonwealth organising committee connected with release of the controversial games advertisement to explain why they should not be made to bear the expenses on the print campaign that was in violation of the model code of conduct.

In its notices served on committee joint director Shovana Narayan, additional director general Neel Chatterjee and deputy director Bharat Prasad, the EC asked the three officials to show cause as to why the total cost of the advertisement amounting to Rs 26,65,247 should not be recovered from their personal accounts in equal proportion. The officials have been given five days to reply to the EC notices.