15-year-old apologises for anti-Modi remarks after FIR, PM's appeal
A girl who purportedly appeared in a viral clip abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued an apology video on social media on Saturday, saying she had been "influenced" and that this was her "first and last mistake".
The girl, who said she is 15, said the viral video was not posted by her and she was "extremely embarrassed and ashamed." PTI could not independently verify the authenticity of the apology video.
The apology video came after a Zero FIR was lodged against her in Noida.
Station House Officer of Expressway police station, Noida, Amit Khatri, on Saturday said the girl currently lives with her family in Faridabad.
"The case was registered as a Zero FIR at the Expressway police station and has been transferred to Parliament Street police station in New Delhi. Further action will be taken by the Delhi Police," he told PTI.
In a late-night video message, Prime Minister Modi said it pained him that not only he but also his late mother had been subjected to "filthy abuses" at the Jantar Mantar protest but added that the "misguided children" should be forgiven and guided on the right path.
In the video, the girl said, "I went to Connaught Place with my friends in July. We came across a group of people who were using abusive and objectionable language against the prime minister. They influenced me and encouraged me to repeat those words, and I did."
She added, "I am not able to look anyone in the eye. I appeal to the entire country and everyone to please forgive me. I am only 15 years old. This is my first and last mistake, and I will never repeat such an act again."
The apology video surfaced after the girl was subjected to a police complaint.
The officer on Friday said Delhi Police will first examine the contents of the Zero FIR registered in Noida on July 29 before taking further action. The FIR was transferred to Delhi on Friday as the alleged offence took place in the national capital.
Earlier, Delhi Police registered an FIR at the Special Cell Police Station over the circulation of the content, issued notices to social media platform X seeking its removal, and sought preservation of relevant electronic records as part of the investigation.
A Zero FIR had been registered on July 30 on the complaint of a Ghaziabad resident, alleging that the girl, earlier identified in the complaint as a resident of Sector 168 in Noida, used abusive and objectionable language against the prime minister during a protest at Jantar Mantar on July 23.
The case was registered under Sections 352 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), 353(1) (statements conducing to public mischief) and 356(1) (defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita before being transferred to the Delhi Police for investigation, as the alleged incident occurred within its jurisdiction.
Officials said a "Zero FIR" is an FIR that can be registered at any police station, even if the alleged offence did not occur within that police station's jurisdiction. It is then transferred to the police station that has the authority to investigate the case. This ensures that a complaint is recorded immediately without delay over jurisdictional issues.
The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi concluded on July 25. Thousands of student activists, joined by innovator-activist Sonam Wangchuk during his 26-day hunger strike, mobilised to express public anger over the alleged widespread competitive examination paper leaks.
Following intense demonstrations, police standoffs and a major march to Parliament on July 20, the agitation resulted in the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The CJP officially ended the protest after the government accepted their core demand, which included the minister's resignation.
