Controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand Denied Bail

Haridwar: Religious leader and controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand was on Thursday denied bail by the chief judicial magistrate’s court here.

Narsinghanand was arrested five days ago for delivering hate speech during a three-day ‘Dharam Sansad’ held last month in Haridwar. He also made derogatory remarks against women of a particular community.

Defending the Juna Akhara Mahamandleshwar, Swami Anand Swaroop said they have faith in judiciary.

“We have faith in the judicial system, but what is happening is media trial… The way Uttarakhand Police is increasing number of cases (against Narsinghanand) is condemnable. Why is this oppression only against Hindus and Hindu religious leaders? I am in pain but still trust the judiciary. While the CJM court has rejected the bail applications, we will now move to the sessions court,” said Swaroop, Peethadheeshwar of Shambhavi Dham.

Two FIRs have been registered. The first one, on December 23, was on the complaint of Gulbahar Khan at Haridwar Kotwali police station under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups and acts prejudicial to harmony) and 295 A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the IPC. Besides Narsinghanand , four others have been named in that FIR.

The second one was filed on January 2 on the complaint of social worker Nadeem Ali against alleged hate speeches at the Haridwar event and more such speeches, under sections 153A and 298 (uttering, words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person).

A Special Investigation Team has been formed to investigate the hate speech case.