Religious leader arrested in AP for "hate speech"

HYDERABAD: A religious leader was today arrested in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh for allegedly delivering a "hate speech." Mirchowk police in old city here had registered a criminal case against Swami Kamalanand Bharathi, the president of Devalaya (temple) Parirakshana Samithi, on January 10 following a complaint lodged by one Rahman that he delivered "hate speech" during a meeting at Indira Park in the city on January 9.

The complainant had alleged that Swami used inflammatory and objectionable words hurting the religious sentiments of a community while condemning the speech of MIM legislator Akbaruddin Owaisi, who was recently arrested for his alleged provocative speeches against a particular community.

A case was registered against Swami Kamalanand Bharathi under section 153 of IPC (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion), Deputy Commissioner of Police (Mirchowk division) M Kistaiah said today.

Later, the case was transferred to Special Investigation Team (SIT) for probe, he said.

A special team of SIT went to Srisailam town in Kurnool district and took him in custody today.

Swami was then brought to here and produced in a court which sent him in 14 days' judicial remand, police said adding that he has been sent to Cherlapally Central jail here.