Guj HC asks police to file FIR against 22 Asharam followers
The Gujarat High Court on Monday asked the police to register FIR against 22 followers of Asharam Bapu who had allegedly attacked media persons and people living near the Ashram on July 18.
The order was issued by a division bench of Chief Justice K S Radhakrishnan and Justice M S Shah, before disposing off the PIL filed by NGO Jan Sangarsh Manch (JSM) last month.
The court has asked the police to register FIR against 22 people whose name were supplied by JSM as per its earlier directions.
It further ordered that investigation in the case be conducted by DSP Gandhinagar, under whose jurisdiction the Ashram falls.
The PIL had asked for formation of Special Investigation Team to probe into the attack on media and people living near the ashram by supporters of religious guru Asaram Bapu during the bandh call given on July 18.
Incidences of violence were reported in the city during the bandh call given over the mysterious deaths of two boys, Abhishek and Dipesh Vaghela, whose bodies were found from the bank of river Sabarmati on July five.
The case is being investigated by state CID (crime).
The government has also ordered an inquiry commission headed by a retired judge into the case.
(Source)
Sep 26th, 2008 at 8:55 am
[...] Guj HC asks police to file FIR against 22 Asharam followers http://nsm.org.in/2008/09/24/guj-hc-asks-police-to-file-fir-against-22-asharam-followers/ The Gujarat High Court on Monday asked the police to register FIR against 22 followers of Asharam Bapu who had allegedly attacked media persons and people living near the Ashram on July 18. The order was issued by a division bench of Chief Justice K S Radhakrishnan and Justice M S Shah, before disposing off the PIL filed by NGO Jan Sangarsh Manch (JSM) last month. The court has asked the police to register FIR against 22 people whose name were supplied by JSM as per its earlier directions. It further ordered that investigation in the case be conducted by DSP Gandhinagar, under whose jurisdiction the Ashram falls.The PIL had asked for formation of Special Investigation Team to probe into the attack on media and people living near the ashram by supporters of religious guru Asaram Bapu during the bandh call given on July 18. Incidences of violence were reported in the city during the bandh call given over the mysterious deaths of two boys, Abhishek and Dipesh Vaghela, whose bodies were found from the bank of river Sabarmati on July five. The case is being investigated by state CID (crime).The government has also ordered an inquiry commission headed by a retired judge into the case. By admin on September 24th, 2008 http://nsm.org.in [...]
Oct 8th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
here is the hc order. tell me where is the direction for filing FIR against bapuji sadhakas. there are 22 witnesses not accused followers of bapuji. there is no direction for fresh FIR. the case which was already registered for violence by various people has to be investigated. as it is no relief at all was given to petitioner. you should be ashamed of this blatant falsehood.
Heard the learned counsel for either side.
2. This petition is preferred by Jan Sangarsh Manch for a direction to the respondents to constitute a Special Investigation Team to investigate into all the incidents of violent attacks on the residents of Veljibhaino Kuvo and other residential localities of Motera village and the concerned offences committed by the Sadhaks of Asharam Bapu’s Ashram at Motera including the attack on the media personnel and for consequential reliefs.
3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner as Convener of the Jan Sangarsh Manch has submitted a complaint dated 27.8.2008 before the Gandhinagar Police Inspector wherein he has given the names of victims of attacks made by Sadhaks of Asharam Bapu’s Ashram on 18.7.2008. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner also submitted that there is no progress in the investigation.
4. Criminal Misc. Application Nos. 11480 and 12081 of 2008 have been filed in the present case seeking impleadment so as to oppose the prayer.
5. Affidavit has been filed by the Police Inspector, Gandhinagar stating that as per the order of this Court dated 26.8.2008, the petitioner has supplied names of 22 witnesses and the police had recorded the statements of those witnesses in the present CR No. 247 of 2008 and they are the prosecution witnesses. It is also stated that the accused persons are not only sadhaks of Ashram, but also from the public and the attempt of the petitioner is to register a separate FIR and conduct the investigation in the matter.
6. In view of the decisions of the Apex Court in Sakiri Vasu vs State of UP, 2008 (2) SCC 409 (paras 26 & 29) and in Lalita Kumari vs. Govt. of UP, 2008 (7) SCC 164, respondent No. 3 will look into the matter and see that the concerned Investigation Officer proceeds in accordance with law. There will be a further direction to the third respondent to monitor the investigation. The petitioner also sought direction to the respondents to quantify the damage caused to the residents and properties of the residents. It will be open to the petitioner to take appropriate steps in that direction.
7. With these directions, the petition is disposed of.
8. Consequently, the impleadment applications stand disposed of.
[K.S. RADHAKRISHNAN, CJ.]
[M. S. SHAH, J.]
sundar/-
Oct 10th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Hello Mr. Rajendra,
We realize the mistake that you are pointing out at.
This is a news item I picked from MSN news.
http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1669227 (Please look at the “Source” at the bottom of the post)
and posted it here
http://nsm.org.in/2008/09/24/guj-hc-asks-police-to-file-fir-against-22-asharam-followers/
The mistake is that MSN has reported that FIRS are to be filed against 22 followers of asaram bapu.
The real order is that a list of 22 victims was submitted by JSM and that action will be taken against the accused.
I will update the post so that I point out the mistake.