New Delhi (Agency): Yati Narsinghanand, a priest of the Dasna Devi temple in Ghaziabad, has found himself under the scrutiny of the Supreme Court following allegations of making derogatory remarks against the judiciary last year. The apex court, in response to a contempt petition, has summoned the religious leader to present his case.
A bench comprising Justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh took note of the petition filed by activist Shachi Nelli, demanding the priest’s response. The plea is in relation to statements made by Narsinghanand during an interview with a Youtube channel, which subsequently spread like wildfire on social media platforms on January 14, 2022.
During the brief proceedings, Nitya Ramakrishnan, a senior advocate, confirmed to the bench that the former attorney general KK Venugopal had given his consent for the contempt petition against the accused, Narsinghnand. This consent, required by section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act before the Supreme Court can hear a criminal contempt petition filed by a private individual, was granted by Venugopal on January 22, 2022.
Previously, on October 10 last year, the top court had directed the petitioner to provide a transcription of the video’s content in which Narsinghnand made his controversial statements. These remarks were made in the context of the Haridwar hate speech case currently awaiting judgment in the Supreme Court.
In his plea, Nelli argued that Narsinghnand’s comments were “obviously contemptuous” of the court. He suggested that as a social activist, he felt compelled to write to the Attorney General, requesting consent to initiate a contempt case against the accused, which was duly granted.
The plea further highlighted the potential impact of Narsinghnand’s comments, given his significant reach and influence. “The alleged contemnor has a huge reach and influence and his statement has been spread far and wide by his followers and sympathisers, leading to widespread disaffection for this court, thereby undermining its authority and bringing its majesty into disrepute,” Nelli’s plea noted.