High Court Issues Notice To Punjab Govt On Gurmeet Ram's Plea For Quashing FIR Over Allegedly Hurting Religious Sentiments

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued a notice to the Punjab Government in a plea filed by Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh 'Insan' seeking the quashing of FIR lodged against him for his alleged remarks against Guru Ravidas and Saint Kabir.

The FIR under Section 295A IPC [Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs] was registered against 'Insan' earlier this month on the complaint of one Jassi Talhan, the president of Guru Ravidas Tiger Force.

In the complaint, it was alleged that 'Insan', in a video, stated concocted stories about both Guru Ravidas and Saint Kabir in unacceptable and controversial words which hurt the sentiments of the Ravidasia community. 

It was further alleged that the derogatory comments were made by 'Insan' in a public address made to his followers on February 5 and the same was aired on the YouTube platform.

Seeking quashing of the FIR, 'Insan' moved the High Court submitting that the video was part of a sermon delivered by him in the year 2016, and the same was uploaded on a YouTube channel in February 2023 depicting the discourse given by the petitioner in a completely wrong context.

Appearing for him, Sr. Advocate Sonia Mathur today argued before the bench of Sudhir Mittal that the content uploaded on YouTube is malicious and thus, the FIR deserves to be quashed.

Having heard the contention of the petitioner, the bench earlier today issued the notice of motion for May 30, 2023. Addl. AG, Punjab Gaurav Garg Dhuriwala accepted notice on behalf of respondent No.1. Respondent No.2 was directed to be served in an ordinary manner.

It may be noted that Gurmeet is presently serving a 20-year jail term for raping two women disciples at his ashram in Sirsa. In 2021, Gurmeet was sentenced to life imprisonment by the CBI Court, Panchkula in the Ranjit Singh murder case. In 2019, he was also convicted for the murder of a journalist over 16 years ago.

Case title - SAINT GURMEET RAM RAHIM SINGH INSAN V/S STATE OF PUNJAB AND ANOTHER

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