Court rejects Radhe Maa's request to remove name from domestic violence case

Mumbai: In an another setback to self-styled godwoman Radhe Maa, a Mumbai court dismissed her application requesting removal of her name from a domestic violence case filed against her.

In 2016, a Mumbai resident, Niki Gupta had registered a complaint accusing the godwoman of instigating her in-laws against her for dowry.

However, the Borivali police dropped Radhe Maa's name from the list of accused on grounds of lack of evidence, without informing the complainant.

On April 28, Gupta took the matter to Bombay High Court.

Acting upon her plea, Justice Sadhana Jadhav directed the Borivali police to record Gupta's statement and allowed her to assist the police in conducting a further probe on the basis of her statement. The court also directed the police to take further action as per law.

On September 5, the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the Punjab police to file a First Information Report (FIR) against Radhe Maa on the plea of a Phagwara resident, Surender Mittal, a former Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) member.

Two years ago, Mittal had sought a FIR against Radhe Maa but receiving no response to his complaint from Punjab Police, Mittal had moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court this year.

Originally, a Punjab resident, Sukhwinder Kaur later changed her name to Radhe Maa and moved to Mumbai. She hosts regular religious events at her Radhe Maa Bhawan located in Boriwali now.

After Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Radhe Maa has become the next spiritual leader to come under the scanner.

The Mumbai court's order has come as a second blow to the self-styled godwoman. 

Earlier on September 5, the Punjab and Haryana High Court while hearing the petition of Punjab resident Surendra Mittal, had directed the state police to register a FIR against Radhe Maa. 

Mittal had complained that Radhe Maa caused him mental harassment him through phone calls.