Equating AAP manifesto to Guru Granth Sahib: Ashish Khetan's plea rejected

New Delhi, Oct 3: The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a plea filed by Aam Admi Party leader, Ashish Khetan in which he had challenged the constitutional validity of Section 295 A of the Indian Penal Code.

Khetan was booked under this section for equating the party's poll manifesto to the Shri Guru Granth Sahib, the religious scripture of the Sikhs.

The Supreme Court while rejecting his plea challenging the validity of the section also directed him to approach the High Court. Khetan, who sought quashing of the FIR, was ordered to move the High Court regarding the same.

Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code prescribes the punishment for deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs. It prescribes a punishment for up to four years.

Khetan had at a public function in July held a copy of the manifesto and said that this is our Gita, this is our Bible, this is our Guru Granth Sahib.

Following this remark the Amritsar police had booked Khetan under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code. The complaint was filed by the Sikh Student Federation leader Karnail Singh.

OneIndia News