BSP chief Mayawati's nephew Akash Anand and four others face allegations of violating the Model Code of Conduct after a case was registered against them on Sunday for reportedly using objectionable language at a poll rally, authorities said.
The district administration took suo motu cognisance of Anand's speech at the rally earlier in the day, leading to the action, police officials stated.
During his address, Anand labeled the government as a "bulldozer government" and accused it of being comprised of traitors. He linked the administration to the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, alleging mistreatment of the youth and elderly.
He also referenced a National Crime Records Bureau report on 16,000 kidnapping incidents in the state, criticising the government's failure to ensure safety for women and children.
Anand further accused the BJP of corruption, alleging the party received Rs 16,000 crores through electoral bonds.
The case was filed against Anand, BSP's national coordinator, along with party candidates Mahendra Yadav, Shyam Awasthi, and Akshay Kalra, as well as rally organizer Vikas Rajvanshi, said Superintendent of Police (Sitapur) Chakresh Mishra.
Mishra stated that the case was registered under sections IPC 171C (undue influence at elections), 153B (imputation, assertions prejudicial to national integration), and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), along with section 125 of the RP Act (promoting enmity between classes in connection with election).
The speech, deemed to incite violence and employ unparliamentary language, violated the Model Code of Conduct, according to Mishra.
Sitapur is scheduled to vote in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha polls on May 13.
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