Margao: A judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) court, Margao, has directed the Margao town police to register an FIR against the Jain monk , Pranam Sagar maharaj, on alleged charges of committing obscenity in public places by “roaming naked” in the streets of Margao .

The court passed the order on May 26 on an application filed by Atish Mandrekar.

The police have also been directed by the JMFC, by the same order, to conduct an inquiry into other offences pointed out by the applicant and to submit a report within 15 days.

Stating that the photos of the Jain monk “prima facie make out an offence under Section 294 of the IPC”, the judge, Bosco Roberts in his order stated, “No doubt the freedom to practice and propagate one’s religion is sacrosanct under the Constitution of India, but with every freedom comes responsibility and duty not to cause annoyance to others.”

The court rejected the applicant’s view that the monk, by roaming naked, outraged religious sentiments.

“I do not find that roaming in a procession naked causes outrage to religious sentiments nor does it promote enmity between different religions or communities. It only outrages public sensitivities. It would be an offence under section 294 IPC. No one can be allowed, even in the name of propagating or practicing one’s own religion, to be unmindful of the sentiments of others,” the order reads.

