Permission sought to prosecute BSP MLA

Meerut, Feb 2 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh Police hassought permission to prosecute ruling BSP MLA Haji YaqoobQureshi in a 2006 case for announcing a reward for killing theDanish cartoonist who drew caricatures of Prophet Mohammed.

Yaqoob Qureshi, then a minister, had announced a cashreward of Rs 51 crore for beheading Danish cartoonist KurtWestergaard on February 17, 2006.A complaint was registered against Qureshi for makingderogatory remarks against Westergaard in Delhi Gate PoliceStation in Meerut.

The Special Investigation Team of the Police, whichconducted an inquiry into the complaint, found Qureshi guiltyof making derogatory remarks against the Danish cartoonist.

Meerut DIG JN Singh said investigations werecompleted during the tenure of former Meerut DIG Akhil Kumarand permission was sought in June last from the stategovernment to prosecute Qureshi.

The police has again sought permission for Qureshi''sprosecution.

Qureshi said that he was unware of any move by thepolice to seek permission to prosecute him.