LI Network
Published on: 13 September 2023 at 15:10 IST
The Rajasthan High Court has granted an extension until October 16 to the stay on the arrest of Baba Ramdev in connection with a case filed against him for alleged anti-Muslim remarks made earlier this year.
This decision comes in response to a plea by Ramdev seeking to quash the case against him, which was filed after he allegedly compared Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity, asserting that Islam and Christianity were overly focused on conversion.
The FIR was lodged on the complaint of a Barmer resident named Pathai Khan.
Justice Kuldeep Mathur passed the order on Monday, extending the validity of an interim order issued on April 13, 2023, which had prevented Baba Ramdev’s arrest. In addition to the extension, the court also directed Ramdev to appear for police interrogation on October 5 in connection with the case, and to appear as required for future interrogations.
“The petitioner is directed to appear before the Investigating Officer for interrogation on 05.10.2023 at 11.30 am. The petitioner is further directed to appear before the Investigating Officer as and when called by him for interrogation…List the matter on 16.10.2023. The interim order dated 13.04.2023 shall remain in currency till the next date of hearing,” the Court’s September 11 order stated.
The case revolves around comments made by Baba Ramdev during a gathering of seers in Rajasthan’s Barmer district earlier this year. During the Sant Samagam (saint gathering) held at the Taratar math on February 2, Ramdev’s statements sparked controversy.
The FIR filed against him invoked Sections 153 (promoting enmity), 295A (outraging religious feelings), and 298 (uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Ramdev’s legal defense was represented by Senior Advocates Dhirendra Singh, Nishank Madan, and Priyanka Borana, while Advocate MS Bhati appeared on behalf of the State. The matter is scheduled to be heard next on October 16, when the court will further deliberate on the case against Baba Ramdev.