India vs Pak tweet case: Poll authorities direct police to file FIR against BJP candidate Mishra

Poll authorities on Friday directed the Delhi Police to file an FIR against BJP candidate Kapil Mishra in connection with his controversial tweet in which he likened the election in the city to a India versus Pakistan contest, sources said.

The Election Commission had asked Twitter to "take appropriate action by removing the tweet" as it aroused communal sentiments. The EC had also said that Twitter should intimate it about the action taken.

A show cause notice was also issued to Mishra by the poll authorities for "violation of the model code of conduct and the Representation of the People Act," officials earlier said.

"The returning officer (RO) has directed the Delhi Police (DCP officer) to file an FIR against Kapil Mishra in connection with his controversial tweet," a source in the Delhi CEO Office told PTI.

In his tweet on Thursday, Mishra, a former minister in the Arvind Kejriwal Cabinet, had likened the February 8 Delhi election to a contest between India and Pakistan, sparking a controversy.

However, Mishra, despite a show cause notice slapped on him, remained defiant and the controversial tweet could still be seen in his Twitter feed. By late evening, it had garnered nearly 9,000 retweets and 35,000 likes.

Queries sent to Twitter India did not elicit any response.

The Election Commission's action comes after the office of the Delhi Chief Electoral officer wrote to the EC last night to remove the tweet posted by Mishra, EC officials said.

Delhi CEO Ranbir Singh earlier said, "We took cognisance of the tweet and wrote to the EC last night seeking its removal. The EC then asked Twitter to remove his tweet. The tweet is a violation of the model code of conduct and the Representation of the People Act, so we have taken action."
"India vs Pakistan 8th February Delhi. There will be a contest on Delhi Roads between India and Pakistan on February 8."