EC issues notice to Sadhvi Pragya over her comments against Hemant Karkare

A day after Bhartiya Janata Party candidate Sadhvi Pragya Thakur’s ‘curse’ statement on late Maharashtra ATS-chief Hemant Karkare, the Election Commission has issued notice against her by District Election Officer and Collector under model code of conduct seeking an explanation from her for her comment on Late Hemant Karkare within a day.

Hemant Karkare, who died fight with a terrorist in 26/11 Mumbai attack in 20008 has also investigated a case against Sadhvi Pragya. The BJP candidate from Bhopal, Sadhvi Pragya is a prime accused in 2008 Malegaon blast, in which 6 were killed and over 100 were left injured.

"We are going to send the ARO report to the EC," District Election Officer and Bhopal Collector Sudam Khade told PTI.

Addressing BJP workers in Bhopal on Thursday night, Sadhvi Pragya Thakur had claimed that Hemant Karkare died within two months during the attacks as she "cursed" him for treating her badly and torturing her. However, after her remarks irked controversy, she tendered an apology on Friday.

"We took suo motu cognisance of the statement and sought a report from the assistant returning officer (ARO) on the matter. We got the report this morning and we are going to issue notices, which are returnable within 24 hours, to the organiser of the programme and the person who made the statement," Sudam Khade said.

According to PTI, another EC official said as per the conditions set before giving permission to the event, use of objectionable language to defame a particular person had been prohibited.

Sadhvi Pragya, accused number one in Malegaon blast is currently out on bail on the health ground and is contesting against Congress’ Digvijaya Singh from Bhopal on Congress ticket.