The Rajasthan High Court has recently directed Yoga Guru Ramdev to appear on October 5 at Barmer’s Chohtan police station for questioning in connection with an FIR launched against him for allegedly hurting religious sentiments, while extending the stay on his arrest.
The court directed Ramdev to appear before the Investigating Officer (IO) as and when called by him and also directed the counsel of government to produce the case diary in the court on October 16.
It extended the stay on Ramdev’s arrest till then. Justice Kuldeep Mathur gave these directions on Monday while hearing a criminal miscellaneous petition by Ramdev praying for the quashing of the FIR.
The order stated, “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.”
However, the court stayed the arrest of Ramdev during the previous hearing and directed him to appear before the investigating officer for interrogation on or before May 20. But he didn’t appear before the investigating officer.
The complaint was filed against the yoga guru at Barmer’s Chohtan police station on February 5 by Pathai Khan for allegedly making remarks against Muslims at a religious event in Barmer on February 2. Chohtan police then booked him under the charges of inciting hatred and upsetting religious sentiments.
In his complaint, Khan alleged that Ramdev made his remarks “deliberately… so that a spirit of animosity and hatred is formed against Islam” and that they “hurt the feelings of crores of Muslims”.