The Hyderabad police registered a case against senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Thursday for his comment that the Telangana Police was radicalising Muslim youth by setting up a fake ISIS site.
Singh had made the allegation in a series of tweets that he had put out earlier this week.
Following Singh's claims, Jubilee Hills MLA Maganti Gopinath filed a complaint with the police.
Speaking to TNM, Jubilee Hills Inspector S Venkat Reddy confirmed that the case had been booked, and said that the FIR was registered under Sections 505 (1) (publishing material with intention to cause fear among people), 505 (1)(b) intentionally causing alarm among public), and 505 (2) (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code.
On May 1, Singh had tweeted, “Telangana Police has set up a bogus ISIS site which is radicalising Muslim Youths and encouraging them to become ISIS Modules.”
Singh also asked Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao to resign, if he was involved in 'trapping' Muslim youths to join ISIS.
In three separate tweets, Singh had said, “The issue is whether Telangana Police should be trapping Muslim Youths in becoming ISIS modules by posting inflammatory information?"
"Is It Ethical ? Is it Moral ? Has KCR authorised Telangana Police to trap Muslim Youths and encourage them to join ISIS?"
"If he has then shouldn't he own the responsibility and resign?”
Singh's statement had attracted widespread criticism, including from senior TRS leaders and Telangana DGP Anurag Sharma.
They also demanded that he clarify his remarks, or retract them.
Telangana IT and Urban Minister KTR said, “Most irresponsible & reprehensible thing coming from a former CM. Request you to withdraw these comments unconditionally or provide evidence.”
DGP Anurag Sharma tweeted, “Unfounded allegations from a senior responsible leader will lower the morale and image of Police engaged in fighting anti-national forces.”
TRS MP K Kavitha also condemned the statement, calling the allegations "ridiculous, baseless”, while adding that it was “not expected of a senior politician."