BJP leader's brother abuses J&K CM at rally held in support of Kathua rape accused

Kathua: The brother of a senior BJP leader Lal Singh has been named in a complaint for using abusing and derogatory language against Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti during a rally in support of men accused in rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua.

An FIR was on Monday registered against Rajinder Singh after a video showing him using “derogatory” language against Mufti during a rally in Kathua went viral.

“A case under section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of Ranbir Penal Code and Section 66A of the Information Technology Act was registered against Singh's brother,” Senior Superintendent of Police, Kathua, Shridhar Patil told news agency PTI.

He said the police has started the investigation in the case.

Singh, former state minister, had on Sunday led a massive rally from Lakhanpur to Hiranagar in Kathua district to press for CBI probe into the rape and murder of an 8-year-old girl in January.

The 26-second video clip purportedly shot during the 'Dogri Swabhiman' rally shows Choudhary Rajinder Singh, younger brother of Lal Singh, atop a vehicle and using abusive language against the chief minister.  

A group of people on foot can be seen enjoying and clapping in the video as the rally moves.

Following the incident, Mufti said the abusive statement and its diction, reflect the horrid mentality behind the Kathua rape case.

Former chief minister and opposition National Conference working president Omar Abdullah reacted sharply to the footage and demanded registration of FIR against the BJP leader's brother.

(With PTI inputs)