FIR Filed Against SP Workers Over CEC Protest in UP’s Pratapgarh

Pratapgarh: An FIR has been registered against five named and about 150 unidentified Samajwadi Party workers and office-bearers for allegedly violating prohibitory orders while protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar here, officials said on Thursday.

According to police, the SP workers took out a procession on Wednesday and staged a protest at Ambedkar Chowk, without the superintendent of police's permission.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (City) Ashutosh Mishra said prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were in force in Pratapgarh district.

Despite being stopped by police, the protesters continued their demonstration, raised slogans and allegedly burnt an effigy of the Election Commission chief.

The five named accused have been identified as Ram Khelawan Yadav of Sukhpal Nagar, Javed Akhtar of Teliya Chauraha, Chandrashekhar Pal, Chandrashekhar and Sandeep Yadav of Ojhla, police said.

A case has also been registered against around 150 unidentified workers and office-bearers.

Legal action is being taken, and police are examining video footage to identify others who allegedly participated in the demonstration, Mishra said.