Advocate targeted for defending sedition accused; FIR filed against BJP men

Ahead of CM Nayab Saini’s visit to Fatehabad, an FIR has been registered against two BJP office-bearers and a supporter on court orders. The FIR was filed following a complaint by an advocate and former District Bar Association president Vinay Sharma, who is representing Mushtaq Ahmed, alias Dr Taj Mohammad, an accused in a sedition case.

The order to file the FIR was given by CJM Suyasha Jawa, but Cyber Police Station took nearly a week to act. The complaint accused BJP leaders of posting abusive and defamatory comments on social media against Sharma after he took up Mohammad’s defence.

Based on the court's directions, FIRs have been registered against BJP district executive member Dhananjay Aggarwal, Kisan Morcha district secretary Layak Ram Garhwal, and BJP supporter Sajjan Godara under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The controversy began after Mohammad, an orthopedic equipment shop owner, posted three videos on Facebook on May 10, following a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. In the videos, he allegedly made critical remarks about PM Modi and appeared to praise Pakistan. Based on these posts, BJP leaders lodged a complaint, after which a sedition case was registered against him.

Sharma alleged that party workers started targeting him online. On May 20, Layak Ram called him a "Congress lawyer defending a traitor" in a WhatsApp group. On May 21, Aggarwal allegedly posted a message accusing Sharma of being part of a "network" that receives "funding" and calling him a “setting-baaz” lawyer. Godara reportedly commented that “a surgical strike is needed here too”. Sharma submitted screenshots of these posts to the police.

Speaking to 'The Tribune', Sharma said the court had ordered FIRs against five people, but police had acted only against three so far. He also raised concerns over the delay in FIR registration and claimed that the accused had been seen near his residence, raising fears for his safety.

Fatehabad BJP president Praveen Jaura acknowledged that the individuals named in the FIR were party workers. However, he clarified that their statements were made in a personal capacity and did not reflect the official position of the party.