BJP Punjab writes to ECI, demands FIR against MP Chabbewal for 'misusing' religious institutions for vote appeal
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, November 17, 2024: BJP Punjab has written a letter to the Election Commission of India (ECI), demanding an FIR against AAP MP from Hoshiarpur Raj Kumar Chabbewal for allegedly misusing the religious institution i.e., Church and mosque, for the political benefit and to appeal there for vote and support in the favour of his son Ishan Chabbewal, candidate of AAP party from Chabbewal in the coming bye-elections-2024.
"On 15.11.2024, Raj Kumar Chabbewal, sitting MP of AAP Party from Punjab, along with several other leaders, entered the Church at village Ahriana Khurd, Assembly Constituency-Chhabewal, conducted a political meeting inside the church, delivered a speech, and appealed to the gathering to cast the votes and support in the favour of
his son Ishan Chabbewal of AAP party candidate from the said
constituency. On this occasion, they took the pledge to vote and support the Isan Chabbewal in the upcoming bye-elections on 20th." This act is a clear violation of the above-noted provisions and the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and is punishable with a sentence of up to 5 years as per the relevant provisions," read the BJP complaint to ECI.
Read the copy of the complaint
To,
1. Chief Election Commissioner of India,
Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road,
New Delhi 110001
2. The Chief Electoral Officer,
Punjab.
Subject: Complaint for the registration of FIR against Raj Kumar Chabbewal i.e. sitting MP of AAP Party, Punjab & other leaders, restrain them for campaigning and misusing the religious institution i.e., Church & mosque, for the political benefit and to appeal there for vote & Support in the favour of his son Ishan Chabbewal candidate of AAP party from AC-Chabbewal in the coming bye-elections-2024.
Respected Sir,
Applicant, hereby, submits that the Bye Election 2024 in the state of Punjab are scheduled for 20.11.2024 and Model Code of Conduct has been enforced in the constituencies where the elections are to be held, including the Chabbewal, Hoshiarpur.
That as per Election Commissions directions issued vide letter No. 3/1/2022/SDR dated by the 27.07.2012 as well as letter No. 3/1/2022/SDR/Vol.1 dated 19.01.2023, further as per Sec. 3,5 & 6 of the Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988, it prohibits the use of religious institutions for the promotion of any political ideas & political activity or for the benefit of any political party. Contravention of the said provisions is punishable up to 5 years imprisonment & fine.
That yesterday on 15.11.2024, Raj Kumar Chabbewal, sitting MP of AAP Party from Punjab, along with several other leaders, entered the Church at village Ahriana Khurd, Assembly Constituency-Chhabewal, conducted a political meeting inside the church, delivered a speech, and appealed to the gathering to cast the votes and support in the favour of
his son Ishan Chabbewal of AAP party candidate from the said
constituency. On this occasion, they took the pledge to vote & Support the Isan Chabbewal in the upcoming bye-elections on 20th." This act is a clear violation of the above-noted provisions and the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and is punishable with a sentence of up to 5 years as per the relevant provisions. Photographs & Video of the same are attached for your kind perusal. It also came to the knowledge that apart from this he has also gone to the Masjids of the area and acted similarly.
It is therefore requested that stern action be taken and a recommendation be made to the SSP of the area to register an FIR against Shri Raj Kumar Chabbewal and other leaders of AAP party for committing the said offense under various sections of the IPC and the Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988 and others. These leaders have also violated the Model Code of Conduct by holding a political meeting, delivering speeches, and appealing to cast votes in favor of the said candidate in the upcoming bye-election within a religious institution/premises. Furthermore, it is requested that the Raj Kumar Chabbewal sitting MP and the other leaders involved be restrained from campaigning in the bye-elections 2024.
Regards Dated: 16.11.2024
Suneel Dutt Bhardwaj,
Office Secretary,
BJP Punjab Office, Sector 37.