FIR against BJP leader, kin of ex-PM Chandrashekhar's son, for threatening Dalit scholar in UP; audio clip goes viral

NEW DELHI: A BJP leader closely associated with former Prime Minister Chandrashekhar's son Neeraj Shekhar has been booked for allegedly threatening a Dalit research scholar from Lucknow University on Monday night at Ubhaon Police Station in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh.

The FIR was filed based on a complaint by Deepak Kannaujia, a native of Turtipar village and scholar at Lucknow University, who alleged that BJP leader Alok Singh called and threatened him on May 21.

According to the complaint, Alok Singh said, "Record this conversation if you want. I am not afraid of the administration or the law and order in Uttar Pradesh."

BJP's Bilthara Road area president Arun Kant Tiwari confirmed Alok Singh's affiliation with the party and his close relation to Neeraj Shekhar.

Kannaujia claimed there was a longstanding political enmity between his family and Alok Singh. He stated that his father, Kamlesh Kannaujia, died of a heart attack last October due to stress from repeated harassment.

The complainant expressed fear for his mother's safety, who lives alone in the village, suggesting Singh might harm her.

Superintendent of Police Omveer Singh confirmed that an audio clip related to the incident had recently gone viral on social media.

Following a preliminary inquiry conducted by Rasra Circle Officer Alok Gupta, Alok Singh was booked under sections 352 and 351(3) of the BNS for intentional insult and criminal intimidation. Additional charges were filed under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.