Akbar’s hate speech lands TV channels in the dock

Hyderabad: Though the Adilabad police had arrested MIM MLA Akbaruddin first in relation to the ‘hate speech’ he had delivered in Nirmal, their Hyderabad counterparts, who also booked a case against the Chandrayangutta MLA, are a step ahead of them in gathering evidence. On Thursday, the Osmania Univesity (OU) police issued notices to four local TV channels for airing Akbar’s Nizamabad and Nirmal speeches.
    On the directions of a local court, the OU police had earlier this week booked a case against Akbaruddin under section 153-A (Promoting enmity between different groups) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for his hate speeches in Nirmal and Nizamabad in December, 2012. As part of the investigation, the OU police on Thursday issued notices to managing directors of 4TV, Ruby TV, Urdu TV and MQ TV under section 91/ 160 of the CrPC, asking them to produce material evidence in relation to the speeches delivered by the MIM MLA and also ensure camera persons and reporters, who had covered the event, to appear before the investigating officer to record their statement.
    The OU police have specifically asked managements of these TV channels to get a copy of the licence issued to them by the competent authority. They have also asked the TV channels to produce unedited video footage of Akbaruddin’s speeches aired live by them.
    According to sources, police would first verify licence of the TV channels and then record statements of the reporters and camera crew who had covered public meetings in
Nirmal and Nizamabad.“The reporters and cameramen can be made witnesses,” an OU police officer said.
    The statements of these persons along with their cell phone location on the day of the event plus video footage could be used as solid evidence to prove that Akbaruddin had indeed delivered those hate speeches’, the source said. TV channels likely to be booked
Hyderabad: According to a senior police officer, cases could also be booked against the TV channels for airing such inflammatory speeches under section 505 (False statement, rumour, etc, circulated with intent to cause mutiny or offence against public peace or ill will among difference classes) of the Indian Penal Code and The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act. Subsequently, police are also planning to record the statements of gunmen and driver of the bullet-proof vehicle provided to Akbaruddin to substantiate evidence against him.
    After recording the statements of these TV channel employees and obtaining unedited footage, the OU police are planning to file a Prisoner Transit (PT) warrant in court to arrest Akbaruddin.