Jaisalmer: An FIR has been registered against former Barmer District Congress president Fateh Khan over an alleged controversial speech delivered during a protest in Barmer on March 13.According to the complaint, the Congress protest was held at the Barmer district headquarters against rising gas cylinder prices and the India-US trade deal. During his address, Khan allegedly made remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and suggested that the US President could abduct the Indian PM and take control of the country. The matter came to light after a video of the speech circulated on social media platforms X and Facebook. Advocate Lalu Singh Sodha then filed a complaint, alleging that the remarks spread false and misleading information affecting the country’s sovereignty, unity and integrity. Police said the incident fell under the jurisdiction of Barmer Kotwali police station. However, the complaint was first submitted at Kotwali police station in Jaisalmer, where a zero FIR was registered on Wednesday before being transferred to Barmer for further action. Barmer police have now formally registered the case and started an investigation. City Kotwal Surjaram Jakhad said the FIR includes charges under Section 197(1)(d) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for hate speech linked to national unity, integrity and sovereignty. The complaint also refers to Section 152, related to acts against sovereignty, and Section 196, concerning promotion of enmity between different groups.
