Vests for Shirdi pilgrims put cops on Azmi's case

March 25, 2009

MUMBAI: Jogeshwari police registered a non-cognisable case against Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi on Tuesday for violating the election code of

conduct. Azmi had distributed vests to a Saibaba mandal, with the party symbol and the names of workers inscribed on it. The Sai Mitra Mandal in Jogeshwari (E) organises a pilgrimage to Shirdi every year. When the group was to leave for Shirdi at 10.30 am on Tuesday, Azmi and three of his associates arrived and distributed vests to all Saibaba devotees with the party's symbol, a bicycle, inscribed on it. Names of Azmi and his three associates, Murad Dosani, Sarvar Ali Shaikh and Jeetu Naik were also mentioned. "Azmi and his associates campaigned for their party without prior

permissions from the police and BMC. They violated the code of conduct and therefore an NC was registered under section 176 of IPC. The mandal's organiser, Kailash Patil, has also been booked,'' a senior police official said.. Section 176 stands for omission to give notice to a public servant by a person legally bound to do so. Azmi declined to comment, but SP spokesperson Abdul Qadir Chaudhary said the party was not aware of the case. Regarding the incident Chaudhary said, "The people were wearing vests bearing our party's name. But it was not distributed by Azmi nor did he give any speech or seek votes from them. He just went there at the request of our party workers who insisted that he greet the pilgrims,'' Chaudhary stated. He added the party respected the model code of conduct and nothing was done "intentionally''. "We will clarify our position to the police if need be."

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