The Uttarakhand High Court on Monday disposed of a public interest litigation linked to the controversial “purification” ceremony held at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan after a public meeting addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. A Division Bench comprising Senior Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari and Justice Siddharth Sah closed the proceedings after the state government assured the court that the matter would be investigated impartially and relevant electronic evidence would be preserved.
During the hearing, the state government informed the court that two FIRs had been registered in connection with the controversy. One was registered in Haldwani, while a zero FIR was lodged in Bengaluru based on media reports. The court was informed that the Bengaluru zero FIR would be transferred to Haldwani for investigation. The Advocate General also assured the Bench that CCTV footage, recordings and other electronic evidence connected with the incident would be secured.
The PIL was filed by Dehradun-based social activist Baijnath, who alleged that the public sprinkling of Gangajal amid Vedic chants after Kharge’s meeting could contribute to social hostility and deepen divisions. The petition also referred to conflicting explanations and religious statements that emerged following the ceremony. It sought preservation of documentary and electronic material and directions to the state government to ensure effective, impartial and lawful action. The petitioner also referred to information sought under the Right to Information Act to establish the facts surrounding the incident.
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Kharge had addressed a Congress rally at the Ramlila Maidan on August 8. Three days later, members of the Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas allegedly performed a havan and sprinkled Gangajal at the venue. The organisers reportedly described the ritual as an effort to restore the sanctity and cleanliness of the site following the political gathering. The incident subsequently became a political controversy, with Kharge raising the matter in the Rajya Sabha and seeking legal action against those involved.
The controversy also led to legal complaints from both sides. According to the petition, an FIR had been registered against those allegedly involved in the purification ceremony, while a complaint submitted by Congress members was not registered. Two youths associated with the ceremony later lodged a case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Haldwani under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes law after Gandhi addressed the issue at a press conference in Delhi.
On September 4, Bengaluru Police registered a zero FIR against BJP leaders following a complaint by former Tribal Congress vice-president T.R. Ramappa. The complaint invoked provisions of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. With the state assuring the High Court of an impartial investigation and preservation of evidence, the Bench disposed of the PIL.
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