DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand’s Haldwani police registered an FIR in connection with the alleged “purification” of Ramlila Maidan following Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s rally there last month.
The case was registered at Haldwani Kotwali on a complaint filed by senior advocate Anju against unidentified persons. Police have invoked Sections 196 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 3(1)(r) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Police said they had received around 80 complaints and petitions from across the state, including 19 from Nainital district, in the matter.
According to the complaint, a “purification” ritual was allegedly conducted at the venue after Kharge addressed the gathering. The complainant alleged that the act reflected caste-based prejudice, social contempt and a sense of hatred and inferiority towards a member of the Scheduled Caste community.
Investigators are expected to examine videos of the alleged incident, social media posts and other digital and material evidence.
Police will also seek to identify those involved in the alleged ritual and determine whether it was organised or instigated by any individual or group.
The investigation has been entrusted to Superintendent of Police (Crime) Dr Jagdish Chandra.
The FIR follows sustained protests by Congress leaders and workers, who had repeatedly demanded legal action. Its registration has added a legal dimension to the political controversy and comes shortly before the BJP national president’s scheduled visit to Haldwani.
Speaking to TNIE, Anju said she had submitted her complaint on August 15 over the “hateful and deplorable act” carried out after Kharge’s rally.
“I remained silent during the preliminary inquiry. However, when I learnt that an FIR had been registered against Rahul Gandhi, I met the Senior Superintendent of Police and also staged a four-hour protest at the police station,” she said.
“The authorities assured me that action would be taken within a week, and the FIR was subsequently registered,” she added.
Anju stressed that she was not associated with any political party and had attended the event only to listen to Kharge’s speech.
“Some mischievous elements allegedly used artificial intelligence to edit the footage and insert slogans such as ‘Allah Hu Akbar’. No such slogans were raised at the venue. I was personally present there,” she claimed.
“Our Constitution guarantees equality and justice. An insult to Kharge is an insult to our entire community,” she said.
Anju said she expected the investigation to be impartial and based on all available evidence.
“The case has finally been registered under Sections 196 and 299 of the BNS and Section 3(1)(r) of the SC/ST Act. If the investigation does not bring out the facts fairly, I will approach the court again,” she added.
Police said further action would be taken after the evidence was examined and the individuals responsible were identified.