An MP-MLA court in Begusarai on Monday granted bail to Union minister Giriraj Singh in a case related to alleged violation of the model code of conduct during the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The case was lodged against Singh for his alleged hate speech at an electoral meeting held on the premises of G D College after he filed his nomination papers on April 6, 2019.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also addressed the gathering, but Singh's remarks sparked controversy. He was accused of making a communally sensitive statement, saying that those who cannot say 'Vande Mataram' or respect the motherland would never be forgiven by the nation.
Taking cognizance of the speech, the then Begusarai District Magistrate Rahul Kumar had directed the local circle officer, Manish Kumar, to register a case at Begusarai town police station.
Singh's counsel, Amrendra Kumar Amar, said the minister appeared before the court as directed. 'The court granted him bail as the prosecution failed to produce sufficient evidence, including voice recordings and the seizure list,' he said.
Speaking to reporters later, Singh claimed he had been falsely implicated. The court's decision comes as a relief to the Union minister, who had been facing legal proceedings over the incident for more than four years.
