Dharamdas Maharaj, Annapurna Maa also booked in Haridwar hate-speech case

Photo for representational purpose

Names of two more accused were added in the First Information Report (FIR) registered in connection with a three-day ‘Dharam Sansad' being held in Haridwar where ‘hate speeches' were made against minorities.

As per a report in The Indian Express, the FIR was registered on the complaint of one Gulbahar Khan under section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups and acts prejudicial to harmony) of the IPC. Initially, the complaint only named former Shia Waqf Board chairman Waseem Rizvi, who had recently converted to Hinduism and changed his name to Jitendra Narayan Tyagi. On Saturday night, the names of Dharamdas Maharaj, who is from Bihar, and Annapurna Maa, the Mahamandleshwar of Niranjani Akhada, were also added.

The speeches made during the event, which was held from December 17 to 19, became public last Wednesday, following which the FIR was registered.

As per the report, Haridwar Kotwali police station SHO Rakendra Singh said that so far three persons including Tyagi, Dharamdas and Annapurna Maa have been named in connection with the hate speech case. "More names will be added as the investigation follows," he added.