New Delhi, Dec 8: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will submit his reply today on a notice issued by the Election Commission over his justification for the 2005 fake encounter of Sohrabuddin Sheikh. Modi will submit his reply by 11 a.m. on a notice which was issued for violating the model code of conduct. The three-member Election Commission took the decision after considering various inputs and the complaint filed by Teesta Setalvad alleging that Modi's speech on December 4 at Mangrol in connection with an election campaign amounted to an open exhortation to violence and misuse of religion for political ends.

The Commission also viewed the video recording of the speech. The Commission prima-facie is of the view that the references to late Sohrabuddin and linking his name to terrorism by Modi in his speech amounts to indulging in activity which would involve violation of the provisions of the model code of conduct.

The Commission says that these observations may aggravate existing differences, creating mutual hatred and causing tension between different communities.

At an election rally in Jamnagar District on December 4, Modi had admitted that Sohrabuddin Sheikh's encounter did happen in Gujarat. "Yes, Sohrabuddin's encounter happened in Gujarat and If Sonia Gandhi (India's ruling United Progressive Alliance Chief) wants she can hang me for this," said Modi.

The Supreme Court on Friday decided to hear two separate petitions seeking action against Modi on his "inflammatory" remarks about the fake encounter of Sohrabuddin, on Monday.

The petitions were filed by senior counsel Dushyant Dave on the behalf of Rubbabuddin Sheikh, brother of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and by Prashant Bhushan, who appeared for Javed Akhtar.

Both sought an inquiry into Modi"s justification for the fake encounter of Sohrabuddin Sheikh. Sohrabuddin Sheikh, was reportedly gunned down on November 26, 2005 after being branded a Lashkar-e-Toiba militant by the Gujarat Police, allegedly trying to hatch a conspiracy to kill Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. The cops also allegedly killed Sohrabuddin's wife, Kausar Bi.

 

ANI
 


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