SC relief to Ramdev in new 'honeymooon remark' cases

The Supreme Court Monday stayed another set of criminal proceedings initiated against yoga guru Ramdev on complaints against his alleged controversial remarks on "honeymoon" directed at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for his visits to Dalit homes.

Extending its earlier May 9, 2014 order staying criminal proceedings against Ramdev, a bench of Chief Justice H.L.Dattu and Justice A.K.Sikri said: "Our earlier interim order shall continue in other matters also."

As the counsel for Ramdev told the court that another 11 fresh complaints have been filed against him in different parts of the country, the court, in a lighter vein, said: "Now you diversify your activities."

However, it also said : "If he is wrong, then he should be punished but he cannot not be prosecuted at 20 different places."

The apex court by its May 9, 2014 order while staying the criminal proceedings against Ramdev had said: "Subject to petitioner's depositing a sum of Rs.10 lacs (lakhs) within two weeks in the registry of this court, further proceedings in complaints reference of which has been given in prayer of the transfer petitions ... shall remain stayed."

Ramdev has sought direction restraining the authorities from taking any coercive action against him and clubbing together of all the complaints at one place that had been filed in different parts of the country.

The court also issued notice to the fresh set of complainants as it had done by its May 9, 2014 order. The court while issuing notice May 9 had said: "It is clarified that issuance of notice shall not be construed in any manner as an expression of opinion on the merits of the complaints."