AAP MLA Naresh Yadav sentenced to two years in Quran desecration case

The Quran desecration incident occurred on June 24, 2016, during the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP government’s tenure. Torn pages of the Quran were found on Jarg Road in Malerkotla, triggering unrest and violence in the town. A mob had even damaged vehicles belonging to the then SAD MLA Farzana Alam.

Police initially arrested two brothers, Vijay Kumar and Nand Kishore, along with Gaurav Kumar. However, during the investigation, Naresh Yadav’s name emerged based on a statement by one of the accused. Yadav was arrested by Punjab Police on July 24, 2016, from his Delhi residence on charges of conspiring to incite communal unrest.

The three convicts were sentenced under Sections 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.

The cumulative punishment includes:
•   Under Section 295-A read with 120-B: Two years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000.
•   Under Section 153-A read with 120-B: Two years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000.
•   Under Section 120-B: Six months rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000.

All sentences will run concurrently, making the total punishment two years of imprisonment with a fine of Rs 11,000.

SAD leader Daljeet Singh Cheema welcomed the verdict, stating, “This judgment exposes the deep-rooted conspiracy behind the sacrilege of religious scriptures in Punjab and the real face of AAP. It proves our allegation that these incidents were part of a calculated effort to disturb peace and gain political mileage.”

Cheema also criticised AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing them of defending Yadav despite the allegations. “Now, Kejriwal must explain to the country why his party MLA indulged in such a heinous crime,” he wrote on social media.

In 2021, Yadav and Nand Kishore were acquitted by a Malerkotla court due to insufficient evidence. However, local resident Mohammed Ashraf filed an appeal against Yadav’s acquittal, leading to this conviction.

The judgment also noted allegations that Vijay Kumar received a suspicious Rs 90 lakh transaction in 2018, which Yadav linked to RSS connections. However, the court’s focus remained on the sacrilege case.

Yadav, Vijay Kumar, and Gaurav Kumar remain in custody following their sentencing.