The Himachal Pradesh High Court has refused to cancel an FIR over books that allegedly contained derogatory content against Hindu gods and saints.
Justice Rakesh Kainthla said that, prima facie, making defamatory remarks against Hindu deities and revered figures can amount to insulting the religious beliefs of a class of citizens. He held that it was not permissible to quash the FIR at this stage and that the trial court must examine the seized books to determine whether the remarks were justified.
The case began after a man in Nalagarh, Solan district, bought books including Hindu Dharam Mahaan and found insulting references against Hindu gods and saints. He filed an FIR, and police registered the case under IPC Section 295, seizing the publications. Some of the books were written by Sant Rampal.
The court, however, halted the trial court proceedings because no legal sanction was obtained from the competent authority to prosecute. It clarified that the FIR remains valid and that the state can start fresh proceedings after securing the required sanction.
Himachal Pradesh High Court refuses to cancel FIR over books ‘insulting’ Hindu gods, but halts trial proceedings due to lack of legal sanction for prosecution.
When faith is questioned, the law requires both caution and clarity.
