Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday sought more time from the Election Commission to file his reply to its notice seeking explanation for his election speech justifying the the killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh in a fake encounter.
Modi's lawyer sought "few more hours time" to file his reply in the day, EC sources said in Delhi.
The commission, which held prima facie that his remarks amounted to indulging in activities which could aggravate communal hatred and tension, had earlier asked Modi to file his response by 11 am.
The EC told the chief minister that his campaign speech at Mangrol on December 4 has come to its notice and a complaint has also been filed by Teesta Setalvad alleging that the speech amounted to an open exhortation to violence and misuse of religion for political ends.
"The commission, prima facie, is of the view that the references to late Sohrabuddin and linking his name to terrorism, made in the speech, amounts to indulging in activity which may aggravate existing differences, creating mutual hatred and causing tension between different communities," the EC had said.
It also noted that his speech would involve violations of the Model Code of Conduct.
The notice was issued after the full commission headed by Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswamy considered various inputs and the complaint and has viewed the video recording of the speech.
In the public meeting, Modi had said Soharabuddin had got what he deserved.