The Pune City police have registered a case against senior journalist Nikhil Wagle for his alleged defamatory comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader LK Advani. The case was filed by senior BJP leader Sunil Deodhar at the Vishrambag police station early on Friday.
Wagle has been booked under Sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups), 500 (punishment for defamation), and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code. The complaint stems from a post made by Wagle on X (formerly Twitter) on February 4, where he allegedly made disparaging remarks about the Prime Minister and Advani.
Initially, Deodhar had filed a complaint application against Wagle, seeking legal action. Subsequently, the police have now registered an FIR (First Information Report) in the case. Deodhar claims that Wagle’s comments have disrupted peace in society and hurt the sentiments of people.
In response to the FIR, Wagle took to X and stated that he stands by his tweet, even if it leads to his imprisonment. He also expressed his view that the situation feels like an “undeclared emergency.”
Meanwhile, the Pune BJP unit has submitted a letter to the Pune city police, requesting that permission be denied for a public gathering event called “Nirbhay Bano,” where Wagle is scheduled to be a key speaker. The BJP has threatened to disrupt the program.
In defiance of the threats, Wagle, who resides in Mumbai, has stated that he is not afraid and will attend the program in Pune.
The case against Nikhil Wagle highlights the ongoing tensions between political figures and journalists, as freedom of speech and expression continue to be debated in the country.
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