SANNIDHANAM LAXMIKANTHA SHARMA Vs. STATE OF TELANGANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Criminal Petition is filed under Sec. 482 Cr.P.C., seeking to quash the proceedings in C.C.No.16 of 2020 pending on the file of the Judicial Magistrate of Magistrate for Prohibition and Excise Offences, at Nalgonda. The petitioner herein is accused in the said case. The offences alleged against the petitioner herein are under Ss. 420, 342 and 336 of IPC.

(2.) Heard Sri K.Venumadhav, learned counsel for the petitioner, and Sri Khaja Vizarath Ali, learned Asst. Public Prosecutor for the 1st respondent - State. Perused the record. Despite service of notice, there is no representation on behalf of the 2nd respondent.

(3.) In the charge sheet and the complaint, the allegations against the petitioner are that Sri Varijala Venugopala Swamy Temple is located on the hillock situated at the outskirts of Gapalaiapally Village, Narketpally Mandal. The petitioner who is known as astrologer and some others without knowledge and consent of the temple authorities, have announced through one Television channel and other social media that the day i.e. 6/3/2019 "Dark Moon Night" (Amavashya) is coming after 89 years and further announced that the public whoever visits the temple and offers prayers of Sri Varijala Venugopalaswamy, would be purified and all virtual powers would be gained by them. Thereby, the petitioner herein and his followers mislead the public encouraging them towards bad beliefs. As per his ambiguous and unfair statement, a panic situation was occurred on 6/3/2019 in the above temple and its surrounding areas became endangered due to the heavy crowd which caused immense traffic jam on National Highway-65. Even the emergency services like ambulance and fire etc., were also obstructed.