Does obscenity offence stand against Radhe Maa? Bombay HC asks police

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court today sought to know if the offence of indecency and obscenity, as prescribed under the Bombay Police Act, is made out against self-styled godwoman Radhe Maa.

The query was made by the division bench of justices V M Kanade and Shalini Phansalkar-Joshi, hearing a PIL filed by advocate Falguni Brahmbhatt seeking an FIR against Radhe Maa on charges of obscenity, cheating and hurting religious sentiments.

Brahmbhatt moved the court after suburban Borivali police allegedly failed to take action on her complaint. The controversial 'godwoman' had opposed the petition and her lawyers claimed that all sermons are given inside a room and hence, it cannot amount to indecent or obscene behaviour in public.

"Does the offence of indecency and obscenity under section 110 of the Bombay Police Act stand against her (Radhe Maa) as she (Radhe Maa) claims that it happened inside four walls?" the high court asked.

The court had last week directed the city police to file an affidavit stating what steps they have taken regarding the complaints received against Radhe Maa. The police today sought further time of two weeks to file their affidavit.

The court, however, granted the police only one week and said no further time would be granted. Earlier, Radhe Maa had been in controversy after a 32- year-old woman on August 5 lodged a complaint with suburban Kandivali police alleging that she had instigated her in-laws, who are her followers for many years, to demand dowry.

The Kandivali police later summoned Radhe Maa and six others in connection with the case, following which she had appeared before the police.