By ARUN PRATAP SINGH
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 26 Oct: The legal troubles facing actress Urmila Sanawar, who came into the spotlight in connection with the Ankita Bhandari case, continue to mount, with a fresh FIR now registered against her in Dehradun today. The case pertains to the alleged dissemination of an objectionable video on social media containing remarks said to have harmed the image and reputation of a person holding the office of Governor, a senior BJP leader and a woman. An unidentified individual has also been named in the case registered at Kotwali Nagar police station.
According to the police, a complaint was lodged at Kotwali Nagar by Sagar, a resident of Moti Bazaar, stating that a video recorded outside the CBI Court on Haridwar Road was being circulated on social media platforms. The complainant alleged that the video carried the logo of Sujata Paul and showed Urmila Sanawar making objectionable and defamatory personal allegations against a Governor, a senior BJP leader, and a woman in front of media cameras and microphones without any judicial order or supporting evidence. The complaint specifically mentioned Sikkim Governor Dushyant Gautam, BJP national organisation general secretary BL Santhosh and Aarti Gaur.
The complaint alleges that circulation of such statements can damage the social reputation of the individuals concerned and create confusion, public resentment and discord in society. It further claims that the video is aimed at harming the privacy, dignity and social image of the woman concerned, while also attempting to disturb public peace.
Based on the complaint, Dehradun Police today registered a case at Kotwali Nagar under Sections 79, 352, 353 and 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The investigation has been entrusted to Sub-Inspector Rakesh Rawat on the directions of Kotwali Nagar Station House Officer Kailash Chandra Bhatt.
Police officials now claim to be examining the contents of the video, the circumstances surrounding its circulation on social media and the role of other persons who may have been involved. Officials said that the allegations made in the complaint can be verified only after completion of the investigation.
It may be recalled that Urmila Sanawar was yesterday sent to judicial custody for 14 days in connection with a separate case registered against her at Ranipur police station in Haridwar. Ranipur Police had arrested her from Saharanpur and produced her before a court the same night, following which she was remanded to jail.
The case at Ranipur Kotwali was registered on 24 October on the complaint of former MLA Suresh Rathore’s daughter. She has alleged that Sanawar had made obscene and defamatory comments against her on social media, causing insult to her modesty and tarnishing her family’s image. With the latest case registered in Dehradun, the number of cases lodged against Urmila Sanawar has now risen to around 11.
Police said the FIR at Kotwali Nagar has been registered under Section 79 of the BNS for insulting the modesty of a woman, Section 352 for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace, Section 353 for spreading false information or rumours, and Section 356 for defamation. The investigation in the matter is being carried out by Sub-Inspector Rakesh Rawat. Kotwali Nagar in-charge Kailash Chandra Bhatt said the case has been registered on the basis of the complaint received and further action would be taken in accordance with the findings of the investigation.
