PIL filed in Uttarakhand HC over alleged ‘purification’ ritual at Haldwani ground

A PIL has been filed in the Uttarakhand High Court challenging an alleged ‘purification’ ritual at Haldwani’s Ramlila Ground after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s August 8 meeting. The petitioner sought preservation of video, CCTV and documentary evidence related to the incident

Nainital: A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Uttarakhand High Court over the alleged ‘purification’ incident at Haldwani’s Ramlila Ground following Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s public meeting last month. Baijnath, a social activist from Dehradun, filed the PIL, expressing concern over the incident and requesting the preservation of related electronic and documentary evidence.

According to the petition, following Kharge’s public meeting at the Ramlila Ground on August 8, an alleged ‘purification’ ritual was performed at the same venue, involving the sprinkling of Gangajal (holy water from the Ganges) amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras. The petitioner argues that such actions in a public space could trigger social unrest and tension.

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The petitioner has urged the court to issue directives to preserve all electronic and documentary evidence linked to the incident. This includes the video recording of the public meeting, footage of activities at the venue after the meeting, and recordings from CCTV cameras installed in or around the area. According to the petitioner, information regarding the incident has also been sought under the Right to Information (RTI) Act to uncover the full truth and circumstances surrounding the alleged ritual.