Pilibhit (UP), April 7 A farmer leader was arrested for allegedly threatening the district magistrate over the phone and attempting to incite public sentiment against the administration, police said on Tuesday.
The accused, identified as Baljinder Singh (45), a resident of Mujha Kala village under the Puranpur police station area, was arrested following a complaint lodged by the stenographer employed with District Magistrate (DM) Gyanendra Singh.
Police said the accused claimed to be a state secretary of the Kisan Union (Annadata faction).
According to police, the incident took place on April 6 when the DM was chairing a bird flu prevention task force meeting at the collectorate. Due to the engagement, his official mobile phone was with stenographer Naresh Verma when a call was received.
Police said the caller allegedly used abusive language and threatened to "surround and assault" the DM, warning of similar action if he visited the Puranpur mandi.
The accused also allegedly circulated an audio recording of the conversation on social media to "provoke public sentiment and tarnish the image" of the administration, according to the complaint.
SP Sukirti Madhav Mishra said a case was registered at the Puranpur police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita based on the complaint.
"The accused has been arrested and sent to jail. Threatening a public servant and attempting to incite people is a serious offence," she said, adding that the mobile phone and SIM card used in the incident are being examined.
