Relief to RSS functionaries in uniform case

Chennai, July 14: The Madras High Court has stayed criminal proceedings against three RSS functionaries in a case of alleged violation of police conditions while taking out a procession in khaki uniform in 2014.

Justice P N Prakash granted the relief to Tiruvannamalai District based RSS functionaries S Neelakandan, V Krishnamurthy and S Kamaraj in the case relating to alleged unlawful assembly and violation of conditions related to police uniforms.

The case filed by police was pending before the First Class Judicial Magistrate, Tiruvannamalai.

The prosecution case was that on November 9, 2014, RSS cadres had taken out a procession in Tiruvannamalai wearing white shirts, kakhi shorts and socks, black caps and brown belts.

It was objected to by police as the uniform they wore was similar to their own. It was alleged that it violated the conditions spelt out by police. Counsel for the petitioners argued that the charge of unlawful assembly was not made out against them as the procession was peaceful.

He sought quashing of criminal proceedings against the RSS functionaires over resemblance in their uniform and that of the police.

He cited the Madras High Court ruling given early this year which allowed RSS cadres to wear their uniform, overruling the objection by police that it resembled the uniform worn by junior officers. The court held that such conditions were unsustainable.

PTI