Appearing for Kalladka Prabhakar Bhatt, senior advocate Arun Shyam argued that the case was politically motivated and the RSS leader had only stated facts which were protected under the right to speech.
Team Clarion
BENGALURU – The Karnataka High Court on Friday gave a big relief to RSS leader Kalladka Prabhakar Bhatt as it directed the state not to take coercive action against him for his speech on 24 December in Srirangapatna, in which he allegedly insulted Muslim women.
The vacation bench of Justice Rajesh Rai, who heard Bhatt’s petition on Thursday, issued notices to the state and the complainant in the case and directed the state not to take coercive action till the next date of hearing.
Bhatt’s arrest in the case, therefore, has been stalled for the time being.
Appearing for Bhatt, senior advocate Arun Shyam argued that the case was politically motivated and the RSS leader had only stated facts which were protected under the right to speech.
Bhatt was booked by the police in Srirangapatna under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including Sections 354 (Assault on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 294 (uttering obscene words at a public place), and 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion).
The FIR against the RSS leader was filed after Najma Nazeer, leading JD(S) leader and social activist, lodged a complaint against him.
Meanwhile, the III Additional District and Sessions Judge in Mandya granted bail to Bhatt in the Srirangapatna case following his submission about his health condition.
Bhatt underwent cardiovascular surgery last year in April. “Hence there is substance in the contention of the petitioner that he is suffering from severe cardiac health issues,” the court noted, and citing earlier Supreme Court judgements, granted Bhatt anticipatory bail.
He was directed to submit a personal bond for Rs 2 lakh and a surety for a like sum.
The court, however, clarified that the “investigator is at liberty to interrogate him as provided under relevant provisions of the CrPC.”
In her complaint, Najma Nazeer alleged that Bhatt was a “frequent offender” and had indulged in provoking communal tension and issuing derogatory remarks targeting women. She demanded stringent action against the RSS leader.
The Kalaburagi unit of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has also filed a complaint against Bhatt — this time in Kalaburagi City.
Several Hindu outfits, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, have condemned the FIR against Bhatt.
