Munmun Kaur
Published On: January 08, 2022 at 11:45 IST
A Court in Pune, on January 07, granted Bail to the self-proclaimed ‘Godman’ Kalicharan Maharaj alias Abhijit Dhananjay Sarag in the Hate-speech matter.
He was Arrested for allegedly making inflammatory speeches and hurting religious sentiments during ‘Shiv Pratap Din’ program organised by Ekbote-led Hindu Aghadi outfit on December 19, 2021, to celebrate the Killing of Adilshahi commander Afzal Khan by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1659.
Along with him, the case was registered against Right-wing leader Milind Ekbote, Captain (retired) Digendra Kumar and others at Khadak Police station.
Kalicharan was remanded to Judicial Custody on January 06 after his one-day Police Custody got over. The Public Prosecutor opposing Kalicharan’s Bail submitted to the Court that the offence alleged was non-Bailable and serious in nature.
It was also stated that if Kalicharan is granted Bail there are high chances that there will be Law and Order issues and since he is not a resident, he may also try to abscond.
On the other hand, Amol Dange, appearing for Kalicharan told the Court that the maximum punishment for the offence alleged is 3 years. He further stated that the Arrest made was illegal as the police officer who Arrested Kalicharan, did not issue any notice under Section 41A of the Code of Criminal Procedure. He further pointed out that the FIR was registered after a delay of more than 7 days which raises the possibility of false implications.
The Order granting Bail by the Chief Judicial Magistrate MA Shaikh read, “It will take time to complete the investigation. Till then, the accused cannot be kept behind the bar, by putting some conditions, the accused can be released on bail”.
The FIR was registered under Indian Penal Code Sections 295 (A) (outraging religious feelings), 298 (deliberate intention of wounding religious feelings) and 505 (2) (false statement, rumour made in place of worship, etc, with intent to create enmity).
