‘Reply By 8 PM Wednesday’: EC Asks Arvind Kejriwal For Proof On ‘Poisoned’ Yamuna Claims – News18
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The ECI additionally cited judgements and legal guidelines that can lead to as much as three years of imprisonment for mischievous statements towards nationwide integration and public concord
AAP Nationwide Convenor Arvind Kejriwal. (PTI picture)
The Election Fee of India on Tuesday requested Aam Aadmi Get together (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal to supply factual proof to substantiate severe allegations earlier than publicly making statements that the river Yamuna was poisoned by the neighbouring state, Haryana.
The ECI additionally cited judgements and legal guidelines that can lead to as much as three years of imprisonment for mischievous statements towards nationwide integration and public concord.
The ballot physique demanded Kejriwal to assist his assertion that the character and extent of the chemical used for poisoning Yamuna would have killed folks in massive numbers leading to mass genocide and that the engineers of Delhi Jal Board have truly detected and prevented it well timed, a lot earlier than it might combine with the waters of Yamuna in Delhi and precipitated genocide.
The ECI used an announcement of Kejriwal posted on social media platform X the place he talked in regards to the poisoning of the river Yamuna which can end in “mass deaths and genocide” and this has additionally been equated with the dropping of “nuclear bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki” in addition to using “organic weapons throughout conflict between two nations”.
It is very important word that each BJP and Congress have filed official complaints to the ECI towards Kejriwal for making severe false allegations relating to poisoning of river Yamuna in Delhi.
The ECI wrote to Kejriwal saying the statements made by the chief of his stature carry lots of weight and other people, particularly the followers of his occasion, imagine within the assertion.
“Being a really senior chief with huge administrative expertise, it’s essential to undoubtedly have the proof to substantiate such severe allegations earlier than publicly making statements that, the river Yamuna was poisoned by the neighbouring state; the character and extent of the chemical used for the poisoning Yamuna that may have killed the folks in massive numbers ensuing into mass genocide; and that the engineers of Delhi Jal Board have truly detected and prevented it well timed, a lot earlier than it might combine with the waters of Yamuna in Delhi and precipitated genocide,” the letter reads.
It’s presumed, the ECI added, that the Authorities of Delhi should have formally taken up such a severe and grave challenge of public well being with the Haryana authorities. The Fee, in the meantime, additionally perused the report of Delhi Jal Board which doesn’t point out any poisoning in Yamuna.
“Consequently, there is no such thing as a point out within the report that engineers of Delhi Jal Board have stopped the poisoned waters on the Delhi border itself, earlier than it might poison Yamuna,” the ECI said.
The ECI, whereas referring to the allegations of poisoning, advised Kejriwal that it’s anticipated that there should be a factual basis to the allegations “particularly when the veracity of the statements made by you is contested, then it’s essential to be capable to again your statements on a factual foundation”.
‘Extraordinarily Severe, Unprecedented’
The ECI stated that the allegations raised relating to poisoning of river Yamuna which is the supply of ingesting water to the folks of Delhi by the elected Authorities with an intention to kill the residents of town and equating the act of poisoning by one other neighbouring federal authorities with “nuclear and organic conflict is extraordinarily severe in nature and unprecedented”.
If true, the ballot physique added, this additionally has severe ramifications of making enmity between the regional teams, residents of the neighbouring states, risk of law-and-order scenario as a result of precise or perceived scarcity or non-availability of water, throughout this time of the yr. Response by Wednesday night time
The ballot physique stated that the matter is being examined by the Fee within the mild of provisions of mannequin code of conduct and related provisions of legislation.
“Due to this fact, you’re known as upon to furnish your response on the complaints, particularly on the factual and authorized matrix together with evidentiary assist thereof by 20.00 hours on twenty ninth January, 2025 in order to allow the Fee to look at the matter and take motion as applicable,” ECI advised Kejriwal.
Up To three Years Of Jail
The Fee additionally talked about varied judicial pronouncements, authorized provisions and Provisions of Mannequin Code of Conduct incumbent upon all stakeholders to keep up purity in elections. The ECI cited varied judicial pronouncements and authorized provisions that may lead as much as three years imprisonment for mischievous statements towards nationwide integration and public concord. The ballot physique cited legislation beneath Sections 196, 197, and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It additionally cited Part 123 (4) of the Illustration of the Individuals Act, 1951 that may entice jail.
Rise In Ammonia Degree Being Dealt Individually
Whereas Kejriwal has been requested to assist his statements, the ballot physique has famous that the difficulty of elevated Ammonia in Yamuna river and it’s being dealt individually after contemplating inputs acquired from the State Authorities of Haryana.
On Monday, Chief Ministers of Delhi (Atishi) and Punjab (Bhagwant Mann) wrote to ECI alleging deliberate act of water terrorism by this sudden and sharp improve within the Ammonia content material within the water being launched by Haryana into Yamuna which is alleged to have rendered the water untreatable.
Atishi once more wrote to the ECI on Tuesday explaining the incapability of Delhi Water therapy vegetation as a result of elevated stage of Ammonia and thereby resulting in water scarcity in addition to public well being crises. “The Fee has requested for a report above letter dated 27.1.2025 from the State Authorities of Haryana. The problem of elevated Ammonia is being handled individually after contemplating inputs acquired from the State Authorities of Haryana,” the ECI stated.
Delhi goes for polls on February 5 and the counting of votes will probably be held on February 8.
