The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has responded after a 25-year-old's alleged abusive remarks against PM Narendra Modi went viral, and got her charged with a police case.
The expletive-filled video shows the woman, identified as Ruchika Singh, calling for a resignation amid a CJP protest on July 23 at Jantar Mantar.
This led to a complaint by Ghaziabad resident Smriti Singh, which led to the police filing a Zero FIR against her.
This means that the FIR against her can be registered at any police station, even if the alleged offence did not occur within that police station's jurisdiction. The case will then be transferred to the police station that has the authority to investigate it, so that there is no delay over jurisdictional issues.
"The language may be wrong, it may be objectionable to someone, but it is no reason to invoke the criminal machinery against such people. It leads to a chilling effect," said CJP spokesperson Saurav Das, who said that all generations—especially Gen Z—would find the move unacceptable.
However, he also urged the younger generation to "be very careful" with their words, and their impact on people.
"That said, criminal machinery being used is a big no-no. It is completely unacceptable, it should not happen," he added, as per an NDTV report.
What we know about the case
Smriti Singh, the complainant, told Times of India that she had received several videos allegedly showing the accused using abusive language against the PM.
“I checked her social media accounts and talked to some of her friends and received details of her. I learnt that she is working in a salon and owns a house in Noida," she said, after which she handed over all the evidence to the Expressway Police Station in Noida.
This led to the police filing a Zero FIR under Sections 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 353(1) (statements conducing to public mischief) and 356(1) (defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
They also said that efforts are on to trace Ruchika—a resident of the Lotus Zing society in Noida's Sector 150—who is currently absconding.
