NEW DELHI: Reacting to the alleged use of derogatory remarks by CJP protesters during the Jantar Mantar agitation, party spokesperson Saurav Das said those offended by such language were free to pursue legal remedies for defamation but argued that criminal proceedings against protesters over objectionable speech were not appropriate.“If any language used was derogatory in nature, then the person concerned is free to pursue civil and criminal defamation proceedings against the individual concerned. However, the use of the criminal justice machinery against protesters is highly condemnable, and no one should be punished merely for using objectionable language.”“The language may be wrong, and it may be objectionable to someone, but that is no reason to invoke the criminal justice machinery against such people. It creates a chilling effect. I don’t think this is acceptable to anybody, especially the younger generation.”Adding further, he said, “I would request the younger generation to be very careful about the words they use and the kind of insults or remarks they make against people in general.”“That said, the use of the criminal justice machinery is a big no-no. It is completely unacceptable and should not happen. We would also like to tell the police to remain calm and not misuse their powers for any political ends.”Zero FIR against Noida woman His remarks came after Noida Police registered a Zero FIR against a woman accused of using abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.According to police, the FIR was lodged at the Expressway police station on the complaint of Smriti Singh, a resident of Ghaziabad, against Ruchika Singh, a resident of Sector 168 in Noida.The complainant alleged that on July 23, the accused used “abusive and objectionable” language against the prime minister at Jantar Mantar, hurting the dignity of the constitutional office and intending to spread hatred and disturb public peace.Police registered the case under Sections 352 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), 353(1) (statements conducing to public mischief) and 356(1) (defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).Additional deputy commissioner of Police (Noida) Manisha Singh said the complaint had been registered as a Zero FIR and would be transferred to Delhi Police for further investigation.A Zero FIR allows a complaint to be registered at any police station regardless of where the alleged offence took place. It is subsequently transferred to the police station with jurisdiction over the case.
