2015 Varanasi violence: court allows dropping of charges against all accused barring UP Cong chief

The only person against whom the charges have not been dropped is state Congress president Ajay Rai, who was then a Congress MLA from Pindra. Rai, who was arrested after the violence during yatra, was released on bail.

Among those against whom charges have been withdrawn are Minister of State (Independent Charge) Daya Shankar Mishra “Dayalu”, Swami Avimukteshwarananda, Mahant Santosh Das “Satua Baba”, Mahant Balak Das, members and office bearers of Hindu Yuva Vahini (HYV), Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Shiv Sena.

The case dates back to October 5, 2015, when a yatra was taken out in Varanasi city against the ban on the immersion of religious idols in Ganga. At least 20 people, including policemen and journalists, were injured in the violence. A total of 48 people were arrested for rioting, attempt to murder, voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from duty, robbery, or dacoity, attempt to cause death or grievous hurt among others. They were also booked under the Criminal Law Amendment Act.

“When the case was registered, there was a ban on immersing any kind of idol in the Ganga river. Sadhus, social workers, and locals had taken out a procession, Pratikar Yatra, in the city against the order. During the yatra, there was arson and a case was registered. Most of the accused were seers and their followers,” Varanasi Additional District Government Counsel (Criminal) Vinay Kumar Singh told The Indian Express.

“The present government in the state communicated that the case must be withdrawn in the public interest. When the government passed an order for this, I submitted an application in the court that all accused, except Ajay Rai who was a public representative, should be withdrawn. The court accepted the application and withdrew the charges. Regarding Ajay Rai, the court said that charges should be framed on October 12 – when the case will be heard next,” Singh added.

In its application to withdraw the charges against the 81 people, the Prosecution said, “…The accused sadhus and saints have lakhs of followers in the country and abroad. There is a possibility of public safety being affected if the trial goes on against them.”

After the court’s order, state Congress president Ajay Rai said that he was being “targeted and singled out because he speaks against the BJP government”.