DMK orator booked for making derogatory remarks against Kiran Bedi

PUDUCHERRY: Puducherry police booked DMK orator Nanjil Sampath for making derogatory remarks on lieutenant governor Kiran Bedi during electioneering in Puducherry seeking the support of the voters for the front led by the DMK in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls.

Sampath was booked under the Sections 294 (obscene acts and songs) and 354-A (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Indian penal code. If convicted under Section 354 A, the orator shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both. Section 294 attracts imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine, or with both.

Sampath while addressing voters at Thattanchavady in Puducherry on Thursday accused the BJP in the Centre of using governors in the states and lieutenant governors in the Union territories to stifle the governments of non-BJP parties. He questioned the interference of Bedi, who was not elected by the people, in the day-to-day affairs of the territorial administration paralyzing the elected Congress government headed by chief minister V Narayanasamy in Puducherry. He went on to the extent of asking whether Kiran Bedi is a man or woman. He said BJP sent a person to Puducherry as lieutenant governor after she was driven out from Delhi.

BJP Puducherry unit on Thursday lodged a complaint with district election officer cum collector T Arun seeking action against Sampath for making derogatory remarks on Bedi.