Vikash Sharma

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Monday allowed Santosh Roul alias self-styled Godman Sarathi Baba to organise pravachans (spiritual discourse) for his followers. He can hold the discourse from the first week of July.

However, the Court has put restrictions on the number of participants and clearly directed that he can preach to a maximum of 200 people at a particular time.

The HC also put a condition stating that all the existing COVID-19 protocols should be strictly followed during such gatherings.

It is pertinent to mention here that Sarathi was arrested in 2015 on the charges of cheating people by misusing religious practices. At least three cases were registered against Sarathi including a case for allegedly threatening a follower who is also a medical student, playing with the emotions of the devotees and harassing a woman and her daughter at Barimula Ashram. Cases under Indian Penal Code-506, 420, 467, 468, 471, 321, 120 (b) and 34 were registered against him.

He was granted conditional bail in 2017. Later, Kendrapara SDJM also granted him bail.

Apart from other conditions, the HC had earlier ruled that "Whatever be his place of abode/stay, he shall not allow any devotee/follower or any News or Media persons or any sympathizers to congregate before him for any preaching, propagation, giving Prabachan or spiritual discourses, etc. during currency of this order."

However, Manas Chand, the counsel of the self-styled Godman had moved the HC seeking relaxation on the condition contending that the latter earns his living through the spiritual discourse. Acting on the plea, the HC yesterday granted permission to Sarathi to hold discourse.

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