Delhi HC refuses FIR on Rahul Gandhi for "pickpockets" dig on Modi-Shah & Adani

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has called for appropriate action, but refused an FIR on Indian National Congress (INC) leader Rahul Gandhi for calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and businessman Gautam Adani 'pickpockets'.

The Court has said that while 'the speeches may be in poor taste, this sort of action will have to be taken by the aggrieved parties.'

It, however, directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take appropriate action against Gandhi within 8 weeks.

The Court was hearing a plea against Gandhi for statements during a public speech in Nadbai, Rajasthan on November 22.

Gandhi had alleged that while the Prime Minister diverted people's attention, businessman Gautam Adani picks people's pockets.

Variously, Gandhi also called the Prime Minister a 'panauti', the petition alleged.

The petitioner, a lawyer had inter alia sought the framing of guidelines or directions for the framing of strict guidelines for election speeches.

However, the Court refused to interfere in the matter saying it cannot issue directions to the Parliament.

Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Mini Pushkarna was also informed that the ECI had issued notice to Gandhi in the matter, but had received no reply.

“Narendra Modi's work is to divert your attention; he comes from front, in the TV, from front. He diverts your attention, tells you to see "Hindu Muslim, demonetization, GST, hang me", and divert your attention. From the back Adani comes and picks your pocket. Amit Shah watches from the other side, to see that nobody should get to know, if anybody comes, I will beat up with a baton. So, this is it, the Indian government is running like this,” an English translation of Gandhi’s speech annexed with the petition stated.