The local police registered four cases against four Hindu outfit leaders for alleged hate speech on Wednesday, officials said.

They added that the cases were registered over videos posted by accused right-wing leaders on their social networking sites. The alleged hate speeches came in response to the petrol bomb attacks on Shiv Sena (Bharat Vanshi) leader Yogesh Bakshi and Shiv Sena (Hind) Sikh Sangat wing leader Harkirat Singh Khurana.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP Investigation) Shubham Aggarwal said cases have been registered against Chanderkant Chaddha of Vikas Nagar and Bhanu Pratap of Neem Wali Gali, leaders of Shiv Sena Punjab; Parveen Dang of Gandhi Nagar, president of Hindu Sikh Jagrati Sena; and Rohit Sahni of Star City, Haibowal; a leader of Hindu Shakti Morcha.

The cases were registered at Ward 1, Ward 3, Ward 4 and Haibowal police stations.

The accused were charged under sections 196(1) (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc.) and 353(2) (making, publishing or circulating statements which are false, alarming or contain rumours, with the intention of creating enmity, hatred or malice between groups) by Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

DCP Aggarwal said police are monitoring social networking sites to keep a check on hate speech. During the investigation, the police found the statements of four Hindu leaders provocative and registered the First Information Reports (FIRs).

He added that so far in 2024, the police have registered 16 FIRs over alleged hate speech.