telangana rashtra samithi

News courtesy- Deccan Chronicle

Hyderabad
Oct. 22: Legal experts have said the Telangana Rashtra Samithi president, Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao, can be booked for his unsavoury utterances against people from coastal Andhra at a public meeting at Siddipet on Thrusday.

Mr Rao’s slogan, “Telangana walo Jago, Andhra wale bhago,” is likely to attract penal provisions for hurting the sentiments of a section of people and causing social discord, besides fanning regional chauvinism.

According to legal experts, Mr Rao can be booked under Sections 153, 153 (A), 508 and 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code.

As per Section 153 (A), a case can be registered for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc. and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony.

Those who commit such acts can be slapped with imprisonment for three years, or with fine, or both.

“KCR’s speech falls under the provision and he can be booked under the section straight away,” said Mr P. Subhash, an advocate of the High Court.

Mr M. Rajinder Reddy, former public prosecutor and Bar Council of India member, said Mr Rao was right to address the Telangana people but he should refrain from asking other citizens of the country to run away from Hyderabad or Telangana.

He said the provocative speech could attract action under IPC Section 153 which deals with provocation with intent to cause riot.

Similarly, Mr C. Damodar Reddy, senior advocate, said that KCR should not have gone to such an extent in his speech and said the TRS leader’s utterances fell under Section 508 of the IPC. Another senior criminal lawyer on condition of anonymity said that the government could suo motu initiate criminal proceedings against Mr Rao. “The government need not wait for a complaint or reaction from the public,” he said. “Even a local police officer can initiate action.”