Kolkata police lodge FIR against 'unknown BJP members' for Khalistani slur against IPS officer

An FIR was filed against unknown BJP leaders in connection with a case of hurling a Khalistani slur against IPS officer Jaspreet Singh in Sandeshkhali.

According to the Indian Express newspaper, the Kolkata Police filed the case under non-bailable sections based on a complaint received by the police. The complaint was reportedly filed by Gurmeet Singh, a member of the Youth Khalsa Club.

The FIR was filed on Friday under Sections 295A (Deliberate and malicious intention of outraging religious feeling), 505(2) (Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

The incident happened on February 20 when Singh, among other police officers, was deployed to Sandeshkhali to maintain law and order.

When a group of BJP workers were prevented from entering the area, they called the Sikh police officer a Khalistani. The cop then hit back asking them to leave his faith alone.

Sandeshkhali has been on the boil ever since local women torched houses of TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his supporters for alleged land encroachment and sexual assault.

Sheikh has remained elusive since a mob attack on Enforcement Directorate officials in Sandeshkhali on January 5.