Ramdev cannot stand trial at different places for one remark: SC

The Court had also issued notices to police in all states which have registered cases against Ramdev.

The Supreme Court on Monday said that it would not be proper to ask yoga guru Ramdev to stand trial at various places over complaints against his alleged “honeymoon” remark targeting Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi over visiting homes of Dalits.

“The complaints are arising out of the same speech. If millions of people hear it and get offended, should we say a person should be tried at all the places across the country? Like a complainant has rights, an accused also has rights. If he (Ramdev) is wrong then he should be punished but he cannot not be prosecuted at 20 different places,” said a bench led by Chief Justice H L Dattu.

The court’s observation came as a lawyer for one of the complainants argued that a person had a right to pursue legal remedies at the place of his residence and that the apex court should refrain from halting the proceedings in local courts. In Ramdev’s case, the proceedings have been stayed by the court. “We have understood your anxiety. You have a right, but he (Ramdev) also has got a right. We cannot ask a person to appear in all courts if there are hundred of cases filed. In such a case, we have to stay the trial,” the bench told the lawyer.

Story continues below this ad

Meanwhile, it said that all related matters be tagged and asked his counsel Keshav Mohan to file a fresh petition seeking transfer of complaints filed against the yoga guru in various trial courts.

Admitting Ramdev’s petition, the court had on May 9 last year stayed all proceedings against him in different parts of the country for his alleged remarks. It had also issued notices to police in all states which have registered cases against Ramdev.

Ramdev’s petition had said that complaints and FIRs arising out of alleged comments made in April last year at his press conference be clubbed and dealt in Lucknow or any place of the choice of the apex court.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram