Jodhpur, May 16: Rajasthan High Court today stayed for one week the arrest of senior VHP leader Acharya Dharmendra being sought by police for holding 'trishul deekha' and allegedly delivering a communally sensitive speech at Badnor in Bhilwara district in March this year. Justice Prakash Tatia stayed the arrest of Acharya Dharmendra, a member of 'Kendriya Marg Darshak Mandal' of VHP, till May 23 after hearing arguments from both the sides on a petition filed by his counsel Hastimal Saraswat.

Saraswat argued that Badnor police had registered criminal case under Sections 153-a and 295-a against the Acharya with "ulterior motive and malice".

The government wanted to get political mileage by sparking communal violence over the arrest of the accused, Saraswat charged.
Since no recovery had been made from the accused, there was no need for his arrest, he contended.
However, government Advocate Panne Singh opposed Saraswat's plea on the ground that the case was of serious nature and staying of the arrest would not be justified.
However, after hearing arguments from both the sides, the court stayed Acharya's arrest till Mar 23.
Bureau Report