Proceedings against Ramdev stayed

The order was passed after Ramdev’s counsel informed the court that 11 more complaints have been filed in different parts of the country after the previous order of the bench. The bench then said its earlier order, staying criminal proceedings in some cases, would apply to other transfer petitions filed by him.

Ramdev is seeking directions restraining any coercive action against him and for clubbing all First Information Reports (FIR) lodged in different parts of the country for his alleged remarks, which targeted Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi. His petition said complaints and FIRs arising out of alleged comments made in April last year at a press conference be clubbed and dealt in Lucknow or any place of the choice of the apex court.

On January 19, the bench had said it would not be proper to ask Ramdev to stand trial at various places over different complaints relating to the same statement.

“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 a right, an accused also has a right. If he (Ramdev) is wrong then he should be punished but he cannot be prosecuted at 20 different places,” it had said.