A First Information Report (FIR) was filed against 31-year-old Devu Chodankar on Friday after he allegedly posted anti-Narendra Modi remarks on a Facebook group in March.
Mr. Chodankar- a shipbuilding professional from Mumbai – has been booked under sections 153(A), 295(A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 125 of the People’s Representation Act and 66-A of the Information Technology Act. Some of these sections are non-bailable.
Mr. Chodankar’s lawyer, Jatin Naik said, “My client was a supporter of the BJP. And this is nothing but to take political revenge.”
A protest was launched today in Goa as Chodankar’s supporters feared his arrest. He has not answered the two summons issued to him by the Goa Police cyber cell and a local court has turned down his anticipatory bail plea.
Superintendent of Police Kartik Kashyap said, “We have served summons on him twice but he did not turn up for investigation. The comments he made qualify for a cognizable offence and accordingly we have registered a case. Even the court has found merit in our argument and turned down his plea for anticipatory bail.”
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has denied that action was being taken against Mr. Chodankar by the state government. Mr. Parrikar tweeted, “A prominent citizen complained about a Facebook post, which was registered as per SC guidelines by the police. Anticipatory bail was rejected by court as per evidence & Govt. has no role.”
The FIR was registered after a former head of the Confederation of Indian Industries in Goa, Atul Pai Kane, complained against him.
