The case will come up for hearing next on March 2. (File photo)

A district court in Ranchi has started proceedings in a case where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have been accused of cheating and dishonesty. The third accused in this case is Union minister Ramdas Atawle.

The complainant HK Singh, an advocate at the state high court, has filed a case against PM Modi and Amit Shah, accusing them of cheating people by promising to credit Rs 15 lakh in every person's bank account if they come to power.

The complaint was lodged under sections 415 (cheating) and 420 (dishonesty) of the Indian penal Code, alongwith section 123(b) of the Representation of the People Act.

The court proceedings in the case started today.

HK Singh said in 2019 Home Minister Amit Shah said the government introduced the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) because it was one of the main promises made by the BJP in its election manifesto for the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

"Why was the promise on CAA delivered but the promise on crediting Rs 15 lakh in each person's account, a promise made in BJP manifesto, not honoured?" HK Singh asked.

He argued that the Representation of the People Act says false promise cannot be made to seek votes. "It amounts to fraud with the people," HK Singh said.

The case will come up for hearing next on March 2.

However, HK Singh's claim that the Rs 15 lakh promise was part of BJP's manifesto for the 2014 Lok Sabha election is contrary to facts. The manifesto does not promise this.

Meanwhile, last Saturday, the court had asked HK Singh how this matter falls under Ranchi jurisdiction and why did he not file a case earlier considering that the alleged promise was made in 2013-14.

Speaking to India Today TV, HK Singh said, "Even I feel duped and so do many others by the cunning deceit of BJP leaders. They cannot have double standards. If they can deliver their promise on CAA, then they should also deliver on the Rs 15 lakh promise."

Reacting to the developments, the Congress said people are fed-up with the lies told by the BJP. Congress spokesperson Alok Dubey said, "People are fed-up with the lies told by BJP leaders, including PM Modi. Now, people have started reacting and are expressing their anger against the fraud and baseless assurances given by the BJP."

On the other hand, the BJP rubbished the allegations as a "publicity stunt". BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo said filing a case after six years is nothing but a "cheap publicity stunt".

"What BJP leaders, including PM Modi and Amit Shah said, is in the public domain. They never promised that all account holders will get Rs 15 lakh. They (Opposition and the petitioner) will understand the meaning of BJP leaders' words if they try to read between the lines," Shahdeo said.

ALSO READ | BJP never said Rs 15 lakh will come to your account: Rajnath Singh

ALSO READ | Muft me lelo: Lalu Prasad dubsmashes PM Modi's Rs 15 lakh, acche din promises

ALSO READ | What about Rs 15 lakh in accounts promised by Modi? Here's the PMO's response