Delhi Police register FIR after Nupur Sharma alleges death threat over prophet remark

New Delhi: Delhi Police has registered a case on a complaint made by former BJP national spokesperson Nupur Sharma that she received threats over her controversial remarks against Prophet Mohammed. A senior police officer said a probe had been initiated.

According to the police, the FIR has been registered under Sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence), 506 (criminal intimidation), 507 (criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code against unknown people.

Police said that on May 28, a complaint by Sharma was received at the cyber cell unit against various persons regarding death threats and targeted hatred toward her. On this complaint, a case was registered under the aforesaid sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), they said.

Ms. Sharma yesterday posted an apology on Twitter, saying that it was not her intention to hurt anyone's religious sentiments. She also said she was worried about her family's security and urged people not to make her address public -- the BJP's letter to her, which was widely circulated on social media, had her address.

Ms Sharma was suspended by the BJP after her remarks during a TV show sparked a row and drew a massive backlash from Gulf countries.

India is facing a huge backlash over remarks by Ms. Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal, a senior leader who has now been expelled by the BJP.

Countries in the Gulf region -- Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain -- and Iran have strongly condemned the remarks. Qatar and Bahrain also summoned the Indian envoy and expressed their disappointment. The two countries have also welcomed the BJP's action against Ms Sharma.