Hate speech: T'gana govt gives nod for prosecution of BJP MLA

The Telangana government has given its nod for the prosecution of BJP MLA Raja Singh in a case related to hate speech filed nearly four years ago.
The case against the lawmaker was filed in the city's Shahinayathgunj police station.
In September 2013 the BJP legislator from Goshamahal organised a meeting -- 'Vishal Gau Rakshana Garjana' -- against cow slaughter wherein he allegedly made an inflammatory speech, Shahinyathgunj inspector Ravinder Reddy said.
An FIR was filed and Singh booked under IPC section 153 (A) -- promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony, he said.

A conviction under the section attracts imprisonment of up to three years, or fine, or both.
The government issued an order yesterday clearing the decks for Singh's prosecution.
"And whereas, upon perusal of the relevant records pertaining to Crime No 231/2013 of the Shahinayathgunj Police Station, the government has satisfied and considered that the accused (Singh) should be tried for the offences punishable under section 153 A of Indian Penal Code," the order said.
"The government, hereby, accords sanction for prosecution of the accused," it added.