Punjab and Haryana HC orders FIR against Radhe Maa

Haryana: After Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s conviction in two rape cases, another controversial guru Radhe Maa may face trial. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab police to file an FIR against self-styled godwoman Radhe Maa on plea of a Phagwara resident, Surender Mittal, a former VHP member.

The High Court issued a notice against the senior superintendent police of Kapurthala district asking why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him for failing to act on the complaint.

Surender Mittal in his complaint had said, “This is a two years old matter, which was highly published in media also. She tried to seduce me through various means, later she cursed me. My advocate has issued a notice against her, now we have filed a contempt of court case. I want High Court to take action against her and justice should prevail. People with fake identity, especially Baba and Swami, should come out in the limelight”.

In his complaint, Mittal said that the self-styled godwoman had been constantly threatening him over phone and asking him not to speak against her.

Punjab police has been asked to reply to the High Court within November 13 why a criminal case was not filed against Radhe Maa in the police station.

Radhe Ma has faced several controversies in the past too.

In 2015, a woman had named Radhe Maa in a dowry harassment case. She accused the godwoman of inciting her in-laws to demand more dowry, and of forcing her to work at the ashram, where she was reportedly assaulted.

Actress Dolly Bindra had also filed a criminal case of threatening and sexual harassment against Radhe Ma.

A few days later, videos of Radhe Maa’s devotees carrying her around during satsangs went viral. Activist lawyer Falguni Brahmbhatt lodged a police complaint against her for obscenity, running a business disguised as religion, fraud and cheating.