On Wednesday, the Apex Court observed that fake babas & their illegal activities are spoiling the reputation of even genuine spiritual leaders, and asked the Central Govt to suggest measures to tackle phony religious gurus.
A bench headed by CJI SA Bobde was hearing a petition seeking action against ashrams (religious retreats) run by fake spiritual gurus, which have allegedly confined inmates, particularly women, in unhygienic conditions, risking the spread of the COVID-19.
“There is a lot of money involved & criminal activities are happening. See what can be done? This kind of practice gives a bad name to everyone,” CJI Bobde told the Central Govt’s second senior-most law officer, solicitor general Tushar Mehta.
The petitioner, Dumpala Ramreddy, was asked by the SC to provide Mehta with a copy of the petition so that he can suggest solutions to deal with the problem.
Reddy approached the Supreme Court in April alleging that his daughter was confined in the Adhyatmika Vidyalaya Ashram at Rohini in Delhi founded by Veerendra Dev Dixit, who has been absconding since 2017 after being charged for raping a minor girl in 1999.
Reddy submitted that Central Govt & State Govt were not taking action against fake babas & were allowing such illegal ashrams to function, often from unauthorized premises.
The plea said that “Considering the urgent prevailing situation due to spreading of Coronavirus in the country particularly in places where social distance is not maintained….the petitioner prays for the intervention of this Hon’ble Court for the rescue of the women/persons in the ashrams”.
The petitioner also sought guidelines to be laid down to govern the establishment & functioning of such ashrams & to close down those run by people with criminal records.
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He also cited a list released by the Akhil Bharatiya AkharaParishad, a body of Hindu religious ascetics, declaring 17 babas including Veerendra Dev Dixit, Asaram bapu, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh & Radhe Maa as fake religious gurus.
Even so, ashrams run by the 17 people, Reddy contended, are continuing to function with thousands of disciples residing on their premises.
“If this man (Reddy) saysthe Akhara has declared that there are 17 ashrams that are fake, it raises serious questions,” the bench remarked.
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Reddy sought the evacuation of inmates from the ashrams in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The plea said “The authorities are not verifying the facilities available in the ashrams & the ashrams are in very poor condition. They do not have basic amenities & conditions are very unhygienic”.
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