How Is Rampal Managing To Write & Distribute Books Allegedly Targeting Hindu Deities From Hisar Prison? : Allahabad High Court Asks Jailor

On Tuesday, the Allahabad High Court (Lucknow Bench) directed the Jailer, Hisar Central Jail in Haryana to explain as to how self-styled Godman Sant Rampal, presently lodged in the Jail, is writing and distributing books allegedly targeting the Hindu deities. A bench of Justice Shekhar B. Saraf and Justice Prashant Kumar passed the order on a plea moved by Hindu Front for Justice and others praying for a complete ban, seizure and forfeiture of books and other literature allegedly containing indecent representation of Hindu Gods and Goddess as well as taking action against Sant Rampal under the relevant provisions of BNS.The bench also sought a supplementary affidavit by a person not below the rank of the Assistant Commissioner of Police indicating steps taken for searching the whereabouts of the various books as well as the steps taken to pull down the contents from the internet site including sites of X Corp. and Google LLC, pursuant to an order passed by the HC in July this year. Allegations in the plea The writ petition, filed through Advocate Ranjana Agnihotri, alleges that with a deliberately and malicious intention to outrage the religious feeling of Sanatani Hindus, the respondents (including Rampal and his printing and prachar bodies) are distributing and delivering free of cost books, literature, posters and pamphlets grossly offensive and provocative language and portraying Hindu Gods and Goddesses in very 'ugly' and 'shameful'. The books named in the petition, including Jeene Ki Raah, Gyaan Ganga, Garima Geeta Ki, and Andh Shradhha Bhakti - Khatra-e-jaan, have been cited with examples of alleged offending contents. The petition also alleges that the accused are using electronic communication platforms to promote disharmony and a sense of enmity, hatred, and ill-will between different religious communities, which, according to the plea, is detrimental to public peace and communal harmony.The plea adds that despite repeated requests, representations and reminders to the State Authorities, no action has been taken against the opposite parties who are depicting Sanatan Dharam and Hindu Gods and Goddess in very indecent, vulgar and uncivilised manner. “…the graphic depiction of such content is an affront to India's Cultural heritage we seek to preserve…the narrative unfolds with manipulative and exploitative literature depiction to achieve personal gain, such contents prepare toxic narrative in unacceptable contributing to the erosion of moral and ethical standards. instigates impressionable minds of the persons of the society,” the plea submits. The petition adds that the contents of the literature and their dissemination attract Sections 196, 197, 294, 295, 299 and 302 of BNS, Sections 67A, 67B of IT Act as well as Section 3 & 4 of Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.It may be noted that Rampal has spent over 8 years, 8 months and 25 days in jail since his arrest. He is facing a murder case as well as a case over alleged attempt to wage war against the government in 2014. Hearing thematter on July 10, a bench of Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Om Prakash Shukla had directed the State to respond on whether "any action has been initiated on the representations" concerning the forfeiture of the publications under Section 98 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) Expressing dissatisfaction with the subsequent response filed in the matter, the newly constituted bench noted that the affidavit of the State (Respondent No. 1) was not complete in all respect and required further information. Thus, the court directed that a supplementary affidavit, affirmed by a person not below the rank of the Assistant Commissioner of Police must be filed by October 28, 2025. The Court allowed impleadment of Jailor, Hisar Central Jail-2, Rajgarh Road, Azad Nagar, Hisar Gangwa, Haryana as respondent no. 13. The matter will now come up for a hearing next on November 4, 2025.The plea also seeks a direction for immediate censorship and embargo on the circulation of such material, and to ensure that no further publication or distribution takes place.Additionally, the plea urges the Court to direct the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct an independent, credible, and impartial probe into the alleged illegal operations and functioning of Sant Rampal from Hisar Central Jail.

How Is Rampal Managing To Write & Distribute Books Allegedly Targeting Hindu Deities From Hisar Prison? : Allahabad High Court Asks Jailor

Sparsh Upadhyay

Tags