Self-styled preacher Daati Maharaj's review petition dismissed by Delhi HC
What's the story
The Delhi High Court today dismissed self-styled preacher Daati Maharaj's plea for review of its decision transferring the probe in the rape case against him to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The court had on October 3 transferred the probe to the CBI from the Delhi Police's Crime Branch on a woman's plea, who had alleged she was sexually assaulted by the preacher.
Flaws
Probe by police casts a shadow on the investigation: HC
Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao passed the order on Maharaj's plea seeking review of the court's October 3 order. The HC said the way probe was carried out by police "casts a shadow on the investigation". The bench accused police of not arresting Maharaj even after recording the complainant's statement under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
Background
Probe not partisan as alleged by victim: Delhi Police
The Delhi Police, represented by additional standing counsel Sanjoy Ghose, had told the bench that its probe into the case was not partisan as alleged by the victim and added that the preacher was interrogated eight times during the investigation. Daati on November 2 had told the high court that the CBI has lodged a fresh FIR in the matter against followed norms.
Details
Maharaj's plea initially filed in SC, asked to approach HC
The plea against the October 3 order was initially filed in the Supreme Court, which had asked the self-styled preacher to approach the high court with his grievance. The CBI had earlier submitted before the high court its status report of the probe in a sealed cover. The agency had registered a case of rape and unnatural sex against Daati on October 26.
Complaint
FIR registered against Maharaj on June 11
A complaint was filed against Maharaj on June 7 and an FIR was registered on June 11. On June 22, police questioned the accused, who has been charged with rape of a disciple at his ashrams in Delhi and Rajasthan. The complainant's plea was earlier being heard by a single-judge HC bench, but was transferred to the division bench after a PIL was filed.
Denial
The self-made godman claimed that he was being framed
The complainant had filed the case against the preacher, his three brothers and a woman at Fatehpur Beri police station, South Delhi. The case was later transferred to the Crime Branch. The complaint said the FIR against him has been registered for alleged heinous offenses of rape, unnatural sex, molestation and common intention under the IPC. Meanwhile, Maharaj claimed that he was being framed.