Chhattisgarh High Court Refuses To Quash FIR Against Assistant Professors Accused Of Compelling Hindu Students To Offer Namaz

The Chhattisgarh High Court has recently denied to quash FIR against seven Assistant Professors accused of compelling Hindu students to offer Namaz at a National Service Scheme (NSS) camp organized by their University at Kota in Bilaspur district. The petitioners, while working as Assistant Professors at Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur, were deputed to supervise the NSS camp held between March 26 to April 01, 2025. The FIR germinated from the complaint made by three students who attended the camp. They alleged that despite they being followers of Hindu religion, the petitioners compelled them to offer Namaz. Accordingly, an FIR under Sections 190 (unlawful assembly), 196(1)(b) (act prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony between different religious groups), 197(1)(b) (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration), 197(1)(c) (assertions likely to cause disharmony), 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) and 302 (uttering words with intent to wound religious feelings) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 4 of the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 1968 was registered against the petitioners. The petitioners, however, argued that the written complaint seems to be politically motivated as it was lodged after a delay of 14-15 days. Further, it was contended that though 150 Hindu students attended the event, only three of them levelled such allegation, which they utterly refuted. It was also submitted by the counsel for the petitioners that only four students belonging to the Muslim religion took part in the event who offered Namaz. It was vehemently put forth that the petitioners did not compel any Hindu student to offer Namaz at all. Thus, they implored to quash the FIR and cognizance order since none of the alleged offences is made out. The State, on the other hand, opposed the submissions on behalf of the petitioners and requested the Court not to quash the FIR as the allegations are serious in nature. It was submitted that petitioners, by using words or visible representations, made the Hindu students offer Namaz which finds credence from the statements of the witnesses. The Division Bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Rakesh Mohan Pandey referred to the law laid down by the Supreme Court in Neeharika Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. v. State of Maharashtra & Ors., LL 2021 SC 211 regarding quashing of FIRs. It further observed that the petitioners are already on bail, the investigation is going on and the charge-sheet has not been filed yet. Therefore, it would not be appropriate to make any observations on the merits of the case or to interfere at this stage. Accordingly, the Court refused to grant relief to the petitioners and the petitions were dismissed. Case Title: Dilip Jha v. State of Chhattisgarh & Ors. Case No: CRMP Nos. 1744 & 1746 of 2025 Date of Order: May 27, 2025 Counsel for the Petitioners: Mr. Awadh Tripathi, Advocate Counsel for the State: Mr. Arvind Dubey, Government AdvocateClick here to read the order

Chhattisgarh High Court Refuses To Quash FIR Against Assistant Professors Accused Of Compelling Hindu Students To Offer Namaz

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