Over increasing reports of threats to Nupur Sharma and her family, the Delhi Police has provided security to the now-suspended BJP national spokesperson.
The Delhi Police has provided security to suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and her family after an FIR was registered on a complaint that she was getting death threats over her controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad, officials said on Tuesday. She had requested the police to provide security citing harassment and threats she had been receiving.
"Sharma and her family have been provided police security after she alleged that she has been receiving threats and was being harassed over her remarks," an official said.
Why the security is required?
Police said on May 28, its cyber cell unit received a complaint from Sharma against various persons about death threats and targeted hatred. Based on this complaint, an FIR was registered under IPC sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 507 (Criminal intimidation by anonymous communication), and 509 (Word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) against unknown people.
"During the probe, another complaint was received from Sharma against certain persons promoting enmity. Following this, Section 153A of IPC was added to the case. Notices have been sent to Twitter Inc. and a reply from it is awaited. Investigation into the case is underway," the senior police official said.
Why was Nupur Sharma suspended?
The BJP on Sunday suspended Sharma and expelled its Delhi unit media head Naveen Kumar Jindal as the row over their alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammad escalated with protests from some Muslim countries. Amid demonstrations by Muslim groups and the sharp reaction from countries like Kuwait, Qatar, and Iran, the BJP issued a statement asserting that it respects all religions and strongly denounces insults of any religious personality.
Sharma's comments, made during a TV debate nearly 10 days ago, and Jindal's now-deleted tweets sparked a Twitter trend calling for a boycott of Indian products in some countries. After the action, Sharma unconditionally withdrew her controversial statement and claimed that her comments were a reaction to "continuous insult and disrespect towards our Mahadev (Lord Shiva)”.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra police has summoned Nupur Sharma over derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad
Maharashtra Police has asked suspended BJP functionary Nupur Sharma to appear before them on June 22 to record her statement in connection with her alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad, an official said.
An FIR had been registered against Sharma, the former national spokesperson of the BJP, by the Mumbra police in Thane district of Maharashtra following her remarks, he said.
Accordingly, Sharma has been summoned by the Mumbra police to record her statement before the investigating officer on June 22, the Thane police official said.
The police have sent the summons to Sharma by email as well as speed post, mentioning details of the FIR registered against her, he said.
The BJP had on Sunday suspended Sharma over her alleged insulting remarks against Prophet Muhammad that drew condemnation from several Islamic nations.
The Pydonie police in Mumbai have also registered an FIR against her.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Pandey had on Monday said they will also summon Sharma to record her statement in connection with the FIR registered against her.
The Mumbai Police had registered a case against Sharma on May 28 for allegedly making objectionable remarks against Prophet Muhammad during a television news debate.
She was charged under Indian Penal Code Sections 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 153A (promoting enmity between groups) and 505(2) (statements conducing to public mischief), the police had said.
(With PTI inputs)