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Sedition charges over Facebook post dropped after CM's intervention in Chhattisgarh

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Correspondent

NewsBits.in

RAIPUR: The sedition charges against two persons have been dropped after criticism that led to Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel's intervention. 

Mangelal Agarwal, 53, a resident of Rajnandgaon, was booked for alleged propaganda over the issue of power in the state. He had alleged that the power company was in cahoots with the firm that was manufacturing inverters. 

In the post, he had shared (his own comments in video form) that more power cuts would result in people buying inverters and he alleged that money was paid for causing these blackouts. After the case was registered, he was arrested.

The local police had used Section 124 (A) of the Indian Penal Code, apart from other sections. However, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel expressed displeasure to the state police chief over the use of sedition charges. Baghel said that he and his party were in favour of people's freedom of expression. 

Subsequently, the charges were withdrawn. Agarwal has been released on bail. After he was released, Agarwal thanked the chief minister. Apart from Agarwal, Dilip Sharma, who owns a web portal was also booked for allegedly spreading misinformation regarding power situation in the state.

Sharma's portal carried the story about power breakdown in 50 villages for 48 hrs. In this case too, the sedition charges were dropped. He has also got released on bail. BJP has condemned the police action and said that the Congress government was trying to kill freedom of expression the state.


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Carbine used to fire at jeweller was robbed from UP MLA's gunman

CHHINDWARA: The carbine that was used to fire at a jeweller and later others in Chhindwara in MP, belonged to a UP legislator's gunman and had been looted.

This has been revealed during the course of investigation. The jeweller has survived and the shooter has been arrested. However, it was found that he had got it from the gunman of a UP MLA, sometime ago. 

The incident had occurred in Chhindwara. An armed man carrying the submachine gun stormed into jeweller's showroom, shot him in the stomach. When others came, he fired in the air. He tried to run away but because motorcycle couldn't start, he failed to escape and was overpowered by the crowd.

The injured jeweller is undergoing treatment. The goon was carrying a machine gun, carbine. The accused, Sandeep Kumar, had fired thrice. He had ntered Durga Shree jewellers, carrying the carbine. asking jeweller to hand over ornaments.

When the jeweller refused Sandeep Kumar began firing, one of the bullets hit the victim, Sohan Tamrakar, 32, in the stomach.The goon ran out and kicked the bike but after multiple attempts bike didn't start and people with lathis attacked him.

He was caught and handed to police, later. Now, he is being quizzed and a team is arriving from UP to ask about the procurement of the looted carbine. Investigation is on in the case. 

[January 18, 2023 NewsBits.in]

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