An FIR has been lodged against the BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra. The development had come two weeks after he held a press conference on the roadside in the busy MP Nagar. Earlier after Congress complaint an FIR was filed only against the organiser of the event SS Uppal, while Patra was let away. Congress had objected over the way Patra’s name was not included in the FIR despite him being the main culprit. After Congress’ complaint with the Election Commission (EC), Bhopal collector was directed to inquire again into the case again. The collector (district electoral officer) in his report to the EC has said that during reinvestigation a video footage of Patra addressing the media was found.
Subsequently, the opinion of public prosecutor was taken in the case. The public prosecutor held that an FIR should be lodged against the organiser SS Uppal and other BJP workers and office bearers who were present in the press conference. The public prosecutor held that based on evidence in form of clear video footage Patra’s name should be added in the FIR. The report also mentions that the organiser SS Uppal had sought permission to organise a press conference between 1-3pm on his plot number 1 in MP Nagar zone 1. It was found that Sambit Patra took the press conference before the scheduled time at around 12-12.30 noon.
A letter was sent to Patra to provide his clarification but he did not reply. The report submitted by collector said that SS Uppal was also given an opportunity for a clarification but he did not respond. Patra had organised a press conference near Vishal Megamart in MP Nagar on October 27, to raise National Herald case. The road was blocked during the press conference and timings were violated. Later on the basis of a Congress complaint an FIR was registered against organiser SS Uppal under section 188 for violation of poll code but Patra’s name was not mentioned in the FIR.
