Bhubaneshwar, Apr 13: Ashok Sahu, the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Kandhamal Lok Sabha constituency, who is wanted for his 'hate speech' instigating communal disharmony, is still missing.

"Ashok Sahu is still absconding. A team of Kandhamal district police and Nayagarh district police are searching for him. There are reports that he is hiding in Nayagarh district," said Superintendent of Police of Nayagarh Jay Narayan Pankaj.

After his inflammatory speech in Raika, alleging the church of indulging in conversions the Election Commission had issue a notice to Sahu on Sunday, Apr 12 for violating the Model Code of Conduct during campaigning in Raika on Apr 5.

He is booked under 153 IPC for provocation with the intent to cause rioting and 125 of Representation of the People Act and promoting enmity among people in connection with the election.

The Commission has also asked the District Magistrate to book Sahu on two other casees. One being the 505 IPC for making statements conducing public mischief and 295 IPC for deliberately acting to offend the religious feelings of a group of people.

Sahu was asked to reply to the commission by 3:00 PM on Wednesday, Apr 15.

OneIndia News