Owaisi hate speech probe: Police issue notice to TV channels

HYDERABAD: Though the   Adilabad   police had arrested   MIM   MLA   Akbaruddin   first in relation to the 'hate speech' he had delivered in   Nirmal, their Hyderabad counterparts, who also booked a case against the   Chandrayangutta   MLA, are a step ahead of them in gathering evidence.

On Thursday, the   Osmania   Univesity   (OU) police issued notices to four local TV channels for airing the   Nizamabad   and   Nirmal   speeches of   Akbaruddin.
On the directions of a local court, the   OU   police had earlier this week booked a case against   Akbaruddin   under section 153-A (Promoting enmity between different groups) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for his hate speeches delivered in   Nirmal   and   Nizamabad   in December, 2012.

As part of the investigation, the   OU   police on Thursday issued notices to managing directors of   4TV, Ruby TV, Urdu TV and   MQ   TV under section 91/160 of the   CrPC   asking them to produce material evidence in relation to the speeches delivered by the   MIM   MLA and also ensure camera persons and reporters, who had covered the event, to appear before the investigating officer to record their statement.

The   OU   police have specifically asked   managements   of these TV channels to get a copy of   licence   issued to them by the competent authority. They have also asked the TV channels to produce unedited video footage of   Akbaruddin's   speeches aired live by them.

According to sources, police would first verify   licence   of the TV channels and then record statements of the reporters and camera crew who had covered public meetings in   Nirmal   and   Nizamabad.

"The reporters and cameramen can be made witnesses," an   OU   police officer said. The statements of these persons along with their cell phone location on the day of the event plus video footage could be used as solid evidence to prove that   Akbaruddin   had indeed delivered those 'hate speeches', the source said.

According to a senior police officer, cases could also be booked against the TV channels for airing such inflammatory speeches under section 505 (False statement,   rumour, etc, circulated with intent to cause mutiny or   offence   against public peace or ill will between difference classes) of the   IPC   and The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act.

Subsequently, police are also planning to record the statements of gunmen and driver of the bullet-proof vehicle provided to   Akbaruddin   to substantiate evidence against him.

After recording the statements of these TV channel employees and obtaining unedited footage, the   OU   police are planning to file a Prisoner Transit (PT) warrant in court to arrest   Akbaruddin.

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Owaisi hate speech probe: Police issue notice to TV channels