Patna, Aug 7 (NationPress) The spokesperson for BJP's Bihar unit, Danish Eqbal, has once again intensified the criticism against Prashant Kishor, the founder of Jan Suraaj, regarding the alleged "theft" of election campaign data from 2020.

This controversy revolves around accusations of the theft and unauthorized use of election campaign data and intellectual property belonging to a Congress member.

During a press interaction where he also released a video statement, Eqbal stated: "Prashant Kishor has been unmasked. Those who preach ethics are themselves embroiled in serious offenses under IPC Sections 467, 468, 471, 420, 406, and 120B. These allegations include forgery, fraud, and conspiracy. In Patliputra PS Case No. 94/2020, his actions resemble those of a seasoned criminal."

Eqbal further lambasted Kishor, accusing him of deceiving the public through his campaign, "Baat Bihar Ki", which he claimed was founded on appropriated content.

"The citizens of Bihar have begun to see through these faceless leaders. They are not leaders; they are mere thieves," he remarked.

Eqbal also presented documents relevant to the case. This case was initiated by Congress worker Shashwat Gautam on February 25, 2020, who claimed that he was developing an election campaign named 'Bihar Ki Baat' at his office in Patliputra Colony.

The campaign included data collection, strategic planning, graphic design, and branding, all of which were supposedly stored on a laptop at the office.

Gautam alleged that Osama Khurshid, a volunteer who had previously contested elections at Patna University under a JD(U) ticket, visited the office and took the laptop containing the critical data. Although the laptop was eventually returned, Gautam asserted that the data had been misappropriated.

According to the FIR, Prashant Kishor initiated a comparable campaign named 'Baat Bihar Ki' on February 18, 2020, purportedly utilizing the stolen information. The domain for Kishor's campaign was registered on February 16, just two days prior to its public launch.

The complainant has accused both Kishor and Khurshid of conspiring to misappropriate intellectual property.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, an anticipatory bail application for Prashant Kishor was submitted under relaxed procedural guidelines.

The matter is currently before the Court of Sub Judge XII-cum-ACJM in Patna.

Kishor's attorney, Arun Kumar, defended his client’s innocence, asserting that Kishor has no prior criminal record and has been falsely implicated for political motives.

Kishor's lawyer underscored that the data in question was publicly accessible and that numerous similar domain names had been registered recently, challenging the exclusivity claims.

As a professional election strategist, Kishor contends that any similarities in campaign themes stem from standard industry practices rather than wrongdoing.

It was also pointed out that Osama Khurshid, not Kishor, was the one directly accused of accessing the data.

When approached for a statement, a senior official and media coordinator from Jan Suraaj declined to comment on the allegations, saying, "Prashant Kishor will address this issue in due course."