The Kolkata Police on Saturday issued a look out notice against suspended Bharatiya Janata party ( BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma after she failed to turn up to summons issued by at least two police stations in the city. FIRs were registered first at Narkeldanga police station and then at Amherst Street Police station under the jurisdiction of Kolkata Police for her objectionable remarks on Prophet Muhammad. The FIRs were registered on the basis of complaints filed by individuals. At least 10 complaints were filed against Ms. Sharma under different police stations in the jurisdiction of Kolkata Police.
Interestingly, the look out notice comes a day after the Supreme Court came down heavily on Ms. Sharma, saying that she was single-handedly responsible for the ensuing protests and should have apologised to the nation.
A look out notice is issued by a law enforcement agency against a person who is wanted in an investigation or is absconding preventing the person from leaving the country. The FIR against Ms. Sharma at Narkeldanga Police station was registered on June 13 and she was asked to appear before the police on June 20. The FIR at Amherst Street Police Station was registered on June 23 and she was asked to appear before the police on June 25. Ms. Sharma had skipped both the summons and sought more time to appear before the police.
Several areas of West Bengal including Howrah district witnessed protests after the controversial remarks. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had urged the protestors to lodge complaints with the police instead of blocking roads and attacking public property. Earlier this week Ms. Banerjee while raising questions about police action against activist Teesta Setalvad and journalist Mohammad Zubair had given hints that police in the State will take action against the former BJP spokesperson.
“Why did you arrest Zuber? What did he do? What did Teesta do? I’m not going to take the names of dirty people. You don’t arrest those who abuse religion! You give them security. But our state summoned her. We won’t leave her,” Ms. Banerjee had said June 29.
