Act Of Revered Shrine's Mahant Of Sexually Exploiting Minor Is Non-Comparable: UP Court Denies Bail To Mahant In POCSO Act

A local court in Lucknow on Friday denied bail a Mahant/Chief Priest of Badi Kali Ji Temple, Om Bharti, who has been arrested and booked for allegedly assaulting a minor girl and his brother sexually.

Denying him bail, the Additional District and Sessions Judge, R. B. Prasad remarked thus:

"Regarding exploitation (of children), the Human Rights Commission has said that children should be given opportunities and facilities for their healthy development in a free and dignified environment, and children and young people should be protected against exploitation and moral and economic abandonment. A child is the supreme asset of the nation."

The Judge further stressed that children are the greatest gift to humanity and that the sexual abuse of a child is a serious crime.

The Court also opined that the act of the so-called Mahant of a shrine/religious place, to which the faith of a particular community is attached, of exploiting/assaulting a child can't be compared with any other case.

Apart from this, taking into account the criminal history of the accused. the Court called it a serious matter and denied him bail.

The case against Mahant Om Bharti

Om Bharti was arrested by the Lucknow police last month on charges of sexually assaulting a Boy and a minor girl. He was thereafter booked under Section 354, 377, 511, and 7/8 Of the POCSO Act.

A complaint against him was made by a young man, who sells prasad in his shop located within the Temple Premises and lives with his widowed mother and minor sister. He is also involved in a photography job.

In his complaint, he alleged that Mahant Om Bharti used to call him to his room and ask him to dab his legs and hands. Whenever he used to resist, Mahant used to threaten him that his shop would be vacated.

Further, on April 8, the Mahant allegedly stopped him in his room after the night aarti, he tried to establish unnatural relations with him. He also alleged that even before this incident, he had done objectionable acts many times. He also alleged that Mahant had sexually assaulted her minor sister as well. 

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