SC issues notice to Dasna Devi temple priest on contempt plea
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday sought response of Ghaziabad's Dasna Devi temple priest Yati Narsinghanand in a contempt petition filed against him for alleged derogatory remarks made by him against the top court last year.
A bench of Justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh issued notice to the priest and asked him to file his reply on a plea filed by activist Shachi Nelli.
During the brief hearing, senior advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan informed the bench that they have received the consent of then attorney general KK Venugopal for the contempt petition against the alleged contemnor Narsinghnand.
The top court had on October 10 last year asked the petitioner to furnish transcription of contents of the video carrying the statements made by Narasinghnand.
On January 22, 2022, Venugopal had granted his consent to a request made by Nelli for initiation of contempt proceedings against the priest.
According to section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act, consent of the Attorney General is required before the Supreme Court hears a criminal contempt petition filed by a private individual.
Nelli, in his plea, pointed out an alleged contemptuous statement made by Narasinghnand in an interview given to a Youtube channel which went viral on social media on January 14, 2022.
The statements were made in the interview conducted in context of the Haridwar hate speech case pending in the top court.
"The statement being so obviously contemptuous of this court, the petitioner, a social activist, wrote to the Attorney General for consent to initiate contempt against the alleged contemnor, who has granted the same", the plea of Nelli said.
It added, "The alleged contemnor has a huge reach and influence and his statement has been spread far and wide by his followers and sympathisers, leading to widespread disaffection for this court, thereby undermining its authority and bringing its majesty into disrepute".
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Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT
Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
