SRINAGAR: The Himachal Pradesh Police have formally registered an FIR against Sushmi Devi, a woman Block Development Council (BDC) member from Surjanpur village in Kangra district, for allegedly harassing two Kashmiri shawl sellers.
Despite the victims’ compassionate decision to forgive the BDC Sushmi Devi and request to the authorities not to pursue charges, the state government, determined to set a precedent and proceeded with legal action.
A video showing Sushmi Devi asking two Kashmiri Shawl Sellers to leave Himachal as they can’t sell Shawls in her State had gone viral on social media evoking strong reactions from netizens.
The FIR, numbered 86/24, has been lodged under Sections 196(1) and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act. The Director General of Police (DGP) Himachal Pradesh, Dr. Atul Verma, conveyed this to Nasir Khuehami, National Convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association.
Himachal Pradesh’s Superintendent of Police (SP), Shalini Agnihotri, confirmed the lodging of FIR and assured that the government remains resolute in preventing such incidents in the future.
While Sushmi Devi had issued a formal apology and expressed regret for her behaviour, the authorities emphasised that such incidents must not go unpunished, especially when they target vulnerable and minority communities. (News Vibes of India)
