Bombay High Court Orders Removal Of Mahant Ramgiri's Videos Making Controversial Remarks On Prophet Mohammad

The Bombay High Court on Monday ordered the Maharashtra Police to pull down the videos of controversial self-styled godman Mahant Ramgiri Maharaj, wherein, he has made some objectionable comments against Prophet Mohammad, thus hurting the sentiments of the Muslim community.

A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Prithviraj Chavan gave an oral order to the Police on a request made by advocate Ejaz Naqvi, who pointed out that the 'controversial' video is all over the social media platforms and the same might create communal tension.

"Take appropriate steps and ensure that the videos are deleted from all the social media platforms," Justice Mohite-Dere orally ordered Additional Public Prosecutor Prajakta Shinde, who appeared for the Police.

The bench also ordered Shinde to take help of the Cyber Cell wing of the Police Department to pull down the controversial videos and also to investigate the multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged against Mahant Ramgiri.

According to the petition filed through advocate Naqvi, Ramgiri in an event in Sinnar district made some objectionable comments about Prophet Muhammad and his alleged relationship with a six-year-old girl. The counsel informed the bench that soon after the video went viral on social media platforms, there have been protests across the State. He highlighted the possibilities of an 'unrest' due to the videos and said a law and order situation may erupt.

Another counsel appearing in another petition, urged the bench to get Ramgiri arrested as people are also 'sitting on hunger strike' against the objectionable comments. 

To this specific insistence to get Ramgiri arrested, Justice Chavan responded, "The law will take its own course. You cannot dictate us your terms. The offence invoked in the FIR provides for less than 7 years punishment. The Police will decide whether to arrest or not. As far as law and order situation is concerned it is in the domain of the State government."

Meanwhile, prosecutor Shinde informed the bench that a total of 58 FIRs have been lodged against Ramgiri in various police stations in Maharashtra. She submitted that all the 58 FIRs have been clubbed together and the investigation in the said matter has been entrusted to the MIDC Police Station in Sinnar, where the incident took place.

The bench said it will keep the matter pending and see what transpires in the investigations and accordingly adjourned the hearing for 2 weeks.