ABVP leader booked for 'verbally abusing' mediapersons

Kendrapara (Odisha), Feb 21: The Odisha unit Secretary of ABVP was on Sunday, Feb 21 booked in connection with verbally abusing mediapersons at a college function here, police said. Police today registered a case against Abhilash Panda, the state secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, a senior police officer said.

Panda had allegedly made unsavoury comments against the mediapersons yesterday during a function in Kendrapara Autonomous College here, he said.

The case was registered under Indian Penal Code Section 294 (obscene act in any public place), section 500 (defamatory speech), section 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Purna Chandra Pradhan, said.

Panda was not immediately available for comment. Panda, while addressing the function which was attended by Minister of State and Information and Public Relations Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, allegedly described those in media circles as bunch of corrupt and unscrupulous people, the FIR stated.

While the UPA government was taking good care of them (media), the NDA government led by 'Modiji' (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) have stopped extending undue favours to media people and therefore, they have turned vociferous critics of 'Modiji', the mediapersons claimed in their complaint.

Panda went on hurling verbal invectives much to the discomfiture of those on the dais including the minister Nayak, the mediapersons alleged.

Finally, the minister intervened with agitated journalists raised objection to the utterances of ABVP functionary, according to those present at the function. Later, Panda left the venue with police escorting him from the spot.

The SDPO said the complaints were being investigated and appropriate step would be taken.

IANS

PTI