Ajmer District Court acquits six of raising beheading slogans against Nupur Sharma

On Tuesday, the district court in Rajasthan's Ajmer acquitted all six individuals accused of raising Slogans Against Nupur Sharma during a protest against the suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader. The protest was due to Sharma's controversial remarks about Prophet Muhammad made during a TV debate in May 2022, which led to violence in various parts of the country.

Sharma's controversial remarks led to her suspension from the BJP, and another party functionary was forced to leave. The comments also caused a diplomatic clash, with countries in West and South-East Asia, including Kuwait, Qatar, and Iran, summoning Indian ambassadors to lodge formal protests. The Supreme Court criticised Sharma, saying that her "loose tongue has set the entire country on fire."

Reasons for Acquittal Awaited

Public prosecutor Ghulam Nazami Farooqui reported that the Judge Ritu Meena ordered the acquittal of all the accused, including Gauhar Chishti, a Khadim (attendant) at the 13th-century Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti’s shrine. Farooqui mentioned that the reasons for the acquittal would be clarified once they received a copy of the verdict. He added that they plan to appeal the decision in the high court to seek justice. Farooqui noted that "Gauhar Chishti is a long-time accused in cases involving disturbing the law-and-order situation."

Gauhar Chishti's lawyer is Urpreet Singh Sodi. He stated that justice had prevailed. "Though we have not received a copy of the verdict so far, it is clear that the investigation failed to find any sound evidence against my client. We are ready to fight in the high court too," said Sodi.

The incident in question occurred during an event in June 2022, where Chishti allegedly raised slogans. According to investigator Dalbeer Foujdar, "The collector permitted only a peaceful rally in the area. However, thousands of people gathered...Gauhar Chishti, on a loudspeaker, raised a slogan to behead the one who defamed Prophet Muhammad. Though no name was taken, it was clearly intended for the BJP leader Nupur Sharma."

The court's decision to acquit the accused shows the challenges faced in prosecuting cases involving large gatherings and alleged incitement. The acquittal has raised mixed reactions, with some seeing it as a failure of the investigation to provide evidence and others believe it highlights the importance of thorough and unbiased legal processes.

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