BJP’s Nupur Sharma Not Found, Mumbai Cops Hunt For Her In Delhi: Sources

Suspended Nupur Sharma, a BJP spokesperson, has gone missing days after police complaints were filed against her in many states over statements she made on a TV station about Prophet Muhammad. Based on a complaint by Irfan Sheikh, the joint secretary of a Muslim organisation, Raza Academy, the Mumbai Police launched a case against Ms Sharma, a Delhi resident, on May 28 after her comment generated uproar in India and Gulf countries.

According to sources, a Mumbai Police squad that was in Delhi to question Ms Sharma was unable to locate her. They claimed she had become untraceable. According to Maharashtra Home Ministry sources, the Mumbai Police have adequate evidence to arrest the former BJP spokesperson. The Mumbai Police squad has been searching for Ms Sharma in the national capital for the past five days.

The Kolkata Police have also filed a first information report, or FIR, against Ms Sharma, based on a complaint by Trinamool Congress minority cell general secretary Abul Sohail. She has been summoned by the Kolkata Police to give a statement on June 20. The Delhi Police have filed another FIR against Ms Sharma for her remark on Prophet Mohammad.

The BJP suspended Ms Sharma after her on-air statements about Prophet Muhammad sparked outrage and government objections in at least 15 countries, including Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Several Gulf countries summoned Indian envoys to express their displeasure over what they described as “anti-Islamic comments” made by BJP spokespersons. Ms Sharma said she was reacting to “constant insult and contempt towards our Mahadev (Lord Shiva)” and revoked her statement “unconditionally.” Even though Ms Sharma was the BJP’s spokesperson, the administration attempted to defuse the situation by telling the Gulf countries that the comments reflected the opinions of “fringe elements.”

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