No Bail for Ajmer Dargah Cleric Accused of Inciting Objectionable Slogans Against Former BJP Spokesperson

The Supreme Court has denied bail to Saiyed Hussain Gauhar Chisti, a cleric from Ajmer Dargah, who is accused of inciting people to chant objectionable slogans against former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. The decision was made after considering submissions from both the accused and the Rajasthan government.

On Tuesday, October 3rd, the Supreme Court of India rejected a bail plea from Ajmer Dargah cleric Saiyed Hussain Gauhar Chisti. The cleric stands accused of inciting people to chant objectionable slogans against Nupur Sharma, a former spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The incident allegedly occurred on the premises of Ajmer Dargah last year.

Details About the Incident

The controversy began when Sharma reportedly made some inappropriate comments about Prophet Mohammad during a television show. In response to this perceived insult, Chisti is said to have encouraged others present at the Dargah to chant 'sar tan se juda' - an inflammatory slogan - against Sharma.

The Legal Proceedings

A bench consisting of Justices B R Gavai and Prashant Kumar Mishra presided over the hearing. Both justices carefully considered arguments presented by both sides before ultimately deciding to deny Chisti's request for bail. The Rajasthan government was represented in court by senior lawyer Manish Singhvi.

In addition to refusing his bail plea, the justices also instructed lower courts to expedite proceedings and reach a conclusion within six months. This decision follows an earlier ruling from October last year where Rajasthan High Court had also dismissed Chisti's plea for bail.

Criminal Charges Against Chisti

Originally, several charges were filed against Chisti under various criminal provisions including issuing criminal threats and promoting enmity among groups. However, as investigations continued into two other cases related to brutal murders in Udaipur and Amravati respectively, section 302 (murder) was added onto his First Information Report (FIR).

In June last year, a tailor was brutally murdered in Udaipur under circumstances that have since been linked to the Ajmer Dargah cleric. While details about this case remain sparse, it is clear that the inclusion of a murder charge significantly escalates the seriousness of Chisti's alleged offences.

Conclusion

The denial of bail for Saiyed Hussain Gauhar Chisti by India’s Supreme Court marks another chapter in an ongoing legal saga. The court’s decision not only underscores the gravity of his alleged crimes but also sends out a strong message against incitement and religious intolerance. As instructed by the Supreme Court, lower courts will now expedite proceedings with an aim to reach a verdict within six months.