FIR filed against Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi for violating Sec 144

UP police has lodged an FIR against over 200 Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The Gautam Budh Nagar police has lodged  the FIR at Ecotech Police Station in Greater Noida for violating section 144 of the CrPC that has been imposed in the district in view of the coronavirus pandemic. Sections 332 (Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty),353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 427 (Mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees),323 (voluntarily causing hurt) ,354 (b) (Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 147 (Punishment for rioting) 148 (Rioting, armed with deadly weapon) of the Indian Penal Code have been imposed on the accused.The FIR has named 153 people while 50 of the accused are unknown."Many people who did not have their masks were stopped but they forcibly continued to move. We also informed the leaders that the Hathras District Magistrate has requested that no political people should be allowed to come to the district as it would worsen the law and order situation. However, no one paid heed to police requests".

According to a statement issued by the police, over 200 Congress workers along with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were repeatedly asked to stop while on their way to Hathras from Delhi on the Delhi-Noida-Delhi highway. "The huge convoy consisted of over approximately 50 cars. The police requested them to halt as Section 144 is imposed in Gautam Buddh Nagar in view of coronavirus pandemic which prohibits any sort of congregation of people. However, the party workers did not pay heed and started moving towards the Yamuna Expressway, violating traffic rules and causing disruption to traffic. Two vehicles of the convoy also got involved in an accident," said the police statement. The convoy's movement resulted in a traffic jam on both sides of the expressway wherein some ambulances were stuck as well.

The police further said that the party workers and leaders were told that since Section 144 is imposed, it is a punishable offence to be on the expressway in such large numbers, that too without following any social distancing."Many people who did not have their masks were stopped but they forcibly continued to move. We also informed the leaders that the Hathras District Magistrate has requested that no political people should be allowed to come to the district as it would worsen the law and order situation. However, no one paid heed to police requests".