Delhi Police drop FIR against teen who abused PM Modi in viral video
Action comes after 15-year-old girl issues video apology stating that she hurled expletives at PM under influence of other protesters
Delhi Police have reportedly decided not to proceed with the FIR filed against a minor girl who was seen hurling expletives at Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a viral video of the recent protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in the national capital.
Zero FIR, apology video
The action came after Ruckika Singh, 15, issued an apology video on social media on Saturday (August 1), saying she had been "influenced" and that this was her "first and last mistake".
The girl said the viral video was not posted by her and she was "extremely embarrassed and ashamed."
Also read: 'She wasn't a protester': Advocate Singh defends FIR against content creator Ruchika
The girl posted the apology video after a Zero FIR was lodged against her at the Expressway police station in Noida and transferred to Parliament Street police station in New Delhi. The girl currently lives with her family in Faridabad.
The Zero FIR was filed on July 30 on the complaint of a Ghaziabad resident, alleging that the girl, earlier identified in the complaint as a resident of Sector 168 in Noida, used abusive and objectionable language against the prime minister during a protest at Jantar Mantar on July 23.
The case was registered under Sections 352 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), 353(1) (statements conducing to public mischief) and 356(1) (defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita before being transferred to the Delhi Police for investigation, as the alleged incident occurred within its jurisdiction.
Also read: Viral video shows girl,15, apologising for remarks against PM Modi
‘Was influenced to use expletives’
In the video, the girl said, "I went to Connaught Place with my friends in July. We came across a group of people who were using abusive and objectionable language against the prime minister. They influenced me and encouraged me to repeat those words, and I did." She added, "I am not able to look anyone in the eye. I appeal to the entire country and everyone to please forgive me. I am only 15 years old. This is my first and last mistake, and I will never repeat such an act again."
Mother’s request to PM
In a late-night video message, Prime Minister Modi said it pained him that not only he but also his late mother had been subjected to "filthy abuses" at the Jantar Mantar protest but added that the "misguided children" should be forgiven and guided on the right path.
The girl’s mother had thanked Prime Minister Modi for forgiving her and had requested him to ask authorities to withdraw the FIR against her daughter.
Also read: ‘PM has given my daughter new life’: Teen protester’s mother seeks withdrawal of FIR
“PM Modi has shown greatness by forgiving a daughter of the country who had used such dirty words. I thank him with folded hands. Today is her new birth. The prime minister has given her jeevandaan (a new life),” she said.
“I request Prime Minister Narendra Modi, please revoke the FIR against her under the wrong name and age…now she is under your supervision,” she said.