The West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Tuesday registered a case against Russel Aziz, son of Md Salim — CPM politburo member and MP from Raigunj constituency of Uttar Dinajpur district — in the Bidhannagar cyber police station.
Russel Aziz had written a Facebook post on Monday afternoon during the panchayat elections that apparently created confusion and tension after it was shared several times. Aziz wrote in his post that two persons – a presiding officer and a polling officer had been killed in Uttar Dinajpur district by Trinamool goons. He added in the same post that this information was “unverified”. Sources said that a number of people shared it on social media leading to confusion and tension in Raigunj.
Government sources had told The Bengal Story on Monday evening that the information was completely wrong and misleading, and action would be taken against him. That’s exactly what the government did on Tuesday.
The case was filed under Sections 505(1)(b) of the Indian Penal Code — whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumour or report with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquility, 171(g) — false statement in connection with an election, and 504 — intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace. Punishment for the last includes fine and/or imprisonment upto two years.
Aziz was not available for comment. However, Md Salim told The Bengal Story on Monday evening, “I am not on social media. However, those who have ruined democracy on the day of election should not make a mountain out of a molehill.”
