Jharkhand: After FIR against BJP MP in airport row, Deoghar DC charged with sedition by Delhi Police

A day after Jharkhand Police registered an FIR against BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Manoj Tiwari, and seven others over forcing flight take-off from Deoghar airport, Delhi Police filed a 'zero FIR' against the deputy commissioner of Deoghar and some police officials following Dubey's complaint. They have been charged with sedition and sections under the Officials Secret Acts have been invoked.

On August 31, nine people, including Dubey, his two sons, and fellow BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, allegedly forced Air Traffic Control (ATC) officials to provide clearance for their chartered flight to take off at night despite the newly-constructed airport not having a night take-off or landing facility.

According to the Delhi Police's 'zero FIR', which was filed at the North Avenue police station in Delhi on Saturday, Dubey was "threatened to be killed by Jharkhand Police on the direction of Deoghar’s deputy commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri."

Also read: FIR against BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Manoj Tiwari for 'forcing flight take-off' at Jharkhand airport

As per a report by The Indian Express, the FIR that Delhi Police sent to the Kunda police station in Deoghar for investigation, stated, “MP Nishikant Dubey, Chairman, Deoghar Airport Advisory Committee has lodged a complaint at P.S. North Avenue (11.34 am September 3)… Prima facie offences under IPC section 124A (sedition), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty), 448 (house trespass), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 506 (criminal intimidation),120B (criminal conspiracy) and Officials Secrets Act.”

Responding to the charges against him, Deoghar DC Manjunath Bhajantri told The Indian Express, “It (FIR) is an absurd and 100 per cent concocted story… an afterthought… (after) getting caught violating security protocol. During investigation by the competent authorities, everything will be uncovered, black and white.”

Dubey and Tiwari had gone to Dumka to meet the family members of a minor girl who was burnt alive and got embroiled in a controversy on their way back to Delhi.

The complaint against Dubey, his two sons, MP Manoj Tiwari, Deoghar Airport Director Sandeep Dhingra and others was lodged by Suman Anand, the security in charge of the airport at Kunda police station on September 1.

The complaint stated that all nine persons violated the safety standards by entering the ATC room at the Deogarh airport and forcibly taking clearance for the take-off, officials said.

It has been alleged that permission was taken "forcibly" from the ATC despite no night take-off or landing facility at the airport that was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 12.

The FIR has resulted in a Twitter spat between Dubey and Deoghar Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri charging each other for violating the norms by entering the ATC room.

In a tweet, Dubey said, "This act is similar to that of a criminal that you (DC Bhajantri) entered the premises without permission. In what capacity did you enter the airport? Who gave you permission to see CCTV footage? You are frustrated. Continue to take orders from the CM." Taking to Twitter, the IAS officer said, "Hon’ble MP Sir, I entered the Airport terminal after taking a legitimate entry pass. DC is also a Member on the Board of Directors of Deoghar Airport."

With PTI inputs