AP: Religious leader arrested for alleged 'hate speech'

Hyderabad: A religious leader was on Monday 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 on Monday.

A special team of SIT went to Srisailam town in Kurnool district and took Swami Kamalanand Bharathi in custody on Monday.

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 on Monday. 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 Hyderabad.

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