Three Jabalpur Youths Arrested for Threatening To Behead Jagadguru Raghav Devacharya

Three youths were arrested after they allegedly threatened to behead Jagadguru Raghav Devacharya of the Digambar Akhara through social media. The threats followed a protest against derogatory remarks made online about a local deity.

According to The Times Of India (TOI) report, the three accused have been identified as Aaqib Anwar, 20, a resident of Gohalpur, Mohammad Faijan, 21, from Naya Mohalla, Omti, and 19-year-old Salman, who lives in Mujawar Mohalla, Garha. All three have been booked under serious charges and remanded to judicial custody.

Police have invoked Sections 299 (culpable homicide), 296 (disturbing religious worship), and 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in the case. The accused were produced before a magistrate and subsequently remanded to judicial custody as per court orders, as per The Times Of India Report.

The controversy erupted after offensive remarks targeting Budhi Khermaai Mata were shared on social media. In response, local saints and devotees, led by Jagadguru Raghav Devacharya, held a protest to condemn the disrespect toward the revered deity and called for strict action against those responsible, according to the report.

After the protest, threatening messages explicitly calling for Swami Raghav Devacharya to be beheaded were posted on an Instagram account. These threats were seen as an attempt to intimidate and silence those advocating for religious respect and dignity.

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In his complaint, Swami Raghav Devacharya urged authorities to take legal action, he filed it at the Madan Mahal Police Station. He also appealed to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to ensure the safety of religious leaders & maintain communal harmony in the state.

Police registered an FIR against unidentified individuals and launched an investigation. They are utilising cyber-surveillance methods and digital forensics, authorities traced the source of the threatening messages to the three accused.

They were arrested in a coordinated operation and have since been remanded to jail.

According to the TOI report, police station in-charge Sangeeta Singh said the accused were arrested following a detailed examination of their social media activity and phone records. She further confirmed that efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other individuals who may have been involved in issuing or promoting the threats. As a precautionary measure, Swami Raghav Devacharya has been provided with additional security.  

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