Patna: A criminal case has been filed against INDIA Bloc leaders over allegedly offensive remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother during the INDIA Bloc’s Voter Rights Yatra in Darbhanga, Bihar.

The complaint was lodged by local resident Satish Chandra Gupta in the Civil Court of Jamui, naming INDIA Bloc leaders Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, and Mukesh Sahani as the primary accused, along with 100 unidentified persons. The court has scheduled the next hearing for September 17.

According to Gupta’s lawyer, Brijnandan Singh, the case has been filed under Sections 61(1)(2), 62, 356, 351, and 553 of the Bhartiya Nyay Sahita (BNS) Act. Singh stated that hundreds of INDIA Bloc supporters reportedly used abusive language against PM Modi and his late mother from the stage, which he claimed “hurt the sentiments of crores of Indians.” He added that the leaders are responsible as the remarks were made from their alliance’s platform in their presence, making it a cognisable offence.

The incident occurred during a public meeting in Darbhanga attended by Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, Mukesh Sahani, Dipankar Bhattacharya, and other leaders. A man identified as Mohammad Rizvi, also known as Raza, reportedly used objectionable language against PM Modi and his mother from the stage. The video of the incident went viral on social media, triggering widespread criticism. Rizvi was later arrested from the Singhwada block in Darbhanga.

Following the incident, the BJP’s Bihar unit called for a statewide bandh to protest the remarks. Senior BJP leaders, including state president Dilip Jaiswal, former Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad, and others, staged demonstrations across the state on Thursday.