UP 'mahant' arrested over hate speech, rape threat

Lucknow : Days earlier on April 2, Mahant Bajrang Muni based in Sitapur here issued "rape threats" to women of another community.

Four days after an FIR was filed against Bajrang Muni, police on Wednesday arrested him taking note of a viral video clip in which he purportedly made 'rape threat' to Muslim women, according to reports.

Bajrang Muni was arrested from Kamalapur police station on Lucknow-Sitapur highway, according to Superintendent of police, Sitapur, RP Singh.

The mahant was booked on charges of sexual harassment through words, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman, uttering words with deliberate intent to hurt the religious feelings of any person, The Times of India reported.

Additional Director General, Law and Order, Prashant Kumar confirmed the arrest.

38-year-old Mahant, who surfaced in Sitapur only two years before in connection with land disputes around his Ashram, was speaking at Kalash Yatra when he made the threats.

Video clips of his speech, which he made as Kalash Yatra crossed Sheesha Waali Masjid in Khairabad town, ran viral on social media; afterwards, Mahant issued an apology by evening saying he respected all women.

He was seen in the video sitting in a four-wheeler making the alleged statement, surrounded by a crowd and police personnel.

Taking cognizance of the speech, the National Commission for Women sought his arrest, the report said.

Police say Bajrang Muni faces one more case besides hate speech. Circle Officer, City (Sitapur) Piyush Singh had earlier said Bajrang, too had filed three cases, against local residents, all related to land disputes.

Sources close to Bajrang Muni said he was originally a native of Raniganj area in Pratapgarh district and had his early education at Indore district in Madhya Pradesh.

A local court sent Bajrang Muni to judicial custody, according to an official. Following arrest, his supporters protested outside the ashram.