PIL to declare Sree Sree Thakur Anukulchandra a Parmatma: SC issues a non-bailable warrant in contempt case for not depositing Rs. 1 Lakh cost

Today (January 23, 2024), the Supreme Court (SC) of India issued a non-bailable warrant against one Upendra Nath Dalai for his persistent failure to appear before the top Court concerning the suo-motu contempt proceedings initiated against him. In 2023, the SC initiated contempt proceedings when Dalai failed to deposit a cost of Rs. 1 Lakh, imposed on him for filing a PIL seeking to declare Sree Sree Thakur Anukulchandra, founder of Satsang, a ‘parmatma’. After recording that Dalai refused to not to appear before the SC, the top Court issued a bailable warrant. 

Despite this, Upendra Nath Dalai was absent today during the proceedings. After noting this, a two-judge bench comprising Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice CT Ravikumar issued a non-bailable warrant today. It said “Non-deposit of the cost…that was the reason for issuing a contempt notice to the party, and thereafter in response to that what he has written is that ‘I decline to appear in court’.” While issuing the non-bailable warrant, it stated that the same should be executed through the Superintendent of Police, Distt. Balasore to ensure Dalai’s physical presence on the next date of the hearing, February 13, 2024. 

In December 2022, the bench comprising Justice MR Shah (since retired) and CT Ravikumar imposed a cost of Rs. 1 Lakh on Dalai (petitioner) stating the filed petition as ‘publicity interest litigation’. While imposing the cost, the SC bench observed, “India is a secular country and the petitioner cannot be permitted to pray that the citizens of India may accept Sree Sree Thakur Anukulchandra a parmatma (supreme spirit).”