Court dismisses transfer plea of ‘godman’
By IANSSunday, March 7, 2010
NEW DELHI - The Delhi High Court Monday dismissed a plea by ‘godman’ Shiv Murat Dwivedi, accused of running a prostitution racket here, that the case against him be transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch.
Filing a petition through counsel Joginder Tuli, Dwivedi said he had been falsely implicated and that the investigations should be headed by an officer of the rank of joint commissioner.
His petition says: “An inquiry should be conducted for illegally arresting the petitioner and for staying the investigation till further order.”
Justice S.L. Bhayana dismissed Dwivedi’s plea.
Stating that Dwivedi had the right to follow any religion, the petition said: “An independent inquiry by the Crime Branch would be able to be reveal the truth.”
He demanded that he should be released from police custody.
Dwivedi alias Ichchadhari Sant Swami Bhimanand Ji Maharaj Chitrakoot Wale, 39, was arrested Feb 26 along with seven others, including six women, from Saket in south Delhi.
Delhi Police Sunday invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against him.
