Criminal Case Registered Against BJP MLA in Chhattisgarh Over Alleged Remarks on Jesus Christ
A court in Jashpur district, Chhattisgarh, has registered a criminal case against BJP MLA Raymuni Bhagat over alleged objectionable remarks made about Jesus Christ in September last year. The court has directed Bhagat to appear before it on January 10.
Judicial Magistrate First Class Anil Kumar Chauhan passed the order on January 6 while hearing a complaint filed by Herman Kujur, a member of the Christian community, according to Kujur’s lawyer Vishnu Kuldeep.
The court found sufficient grounds to register a case against Bhagat under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including promoting enmity between groups and deliberate acts to outrage religious feelings.
The incident occurred on September 1, 2023, during a program in Dhekni village under Asta police station limits. Bhagat, who represents the Jashpur assembly segment, allegedly made remarks about Jesus Christ and religious conversions in a local dialect. A video of her speech later went viral on social media, sparking outrage among the Christian community.
Following the video’s circulation, members of the Christian community filed complaints at multiple police stations across Jashpur, demanding action against the MLA. However, the police reportedly took no action and directed the complainants to seek recourse in court.
On December 10, Kujur filed a complaint in the district court. During the court proceedings, statements from six witnesses were recorded, and a video of Bhagat’s speech was submitted as evidence.
After examining the evidence, the court concluded that Bhagat had made the alleged remarks and that they constituted a cognizable offense. The court also noted that no significant action had been taken by the police despite a written complaint submitted to the Superintendent of Police and other officials.
The court accepted Kujur’s complaint under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and registered a criminal case against Bhagat under sections 196 (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, or language), 299 (deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings), and 302 (deliberate intention to wound religious sentiments) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Bhagat has been served notice to appear in court on January 10. The case highlights the growing sensitivity around religious issues and the legal repercussions of controversial public statements.
