Magisterial probe ordered into Bandhavgarh row

TNN | Dec 13, 2011, 05.29AM IST BHOPAL: A magisterial inquiry has been ordered on Monday into the causes of commotion at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Umaria two days ago during a religious gathering. The park field director has been booked on criminal charges and for allegedly hurting the sentiments of dalits. Additional district magistrate Ashkrit Tiwari told The TOI that Manpur area sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Mangal Singh Marabi has been entrusted with the probe and he has been asked to complete the inquiry within a month. A case has been registered against field director C K Patil on the charge of obscene acts, disturbing religious gathering and defamation and relevant sections of scheduled castes and tribes (prevention of atrocities) act 1989 on the complaint of former MP Public Works Department Minister Babulal Malviya, police said. "We are investigating the matter. Arrest of Patil is possible only after a detailed probe, superintendent of police Manohar Singh Jhamara said. According to complaint lodged with Police, Patil allegedly misbehaved with Kabir Panthi sect's renowned Seer Prakash Muni Naam Saheb and made casteist remarks against him on December 10. The seer was the state guest and had come to take part in the religious programme of faithfuls at Bandhavgarh where there is a "Kabir cave" near a fort. Patil asked the members of the congregation not to photograph the area and also avoid using the pond in the reserve. After the field director had a spat with Kabir Panth Seer, more than 14,000 faithful lost their cool but swift action by police and revenue officials calmed their tempers. On behalf of Patil, the officials reportedly apologized to the member of Kabir sect so as to ensure no untoward incident take place. When contacted over phone, Patil denied having misbehaved or passed any caste based remarks. "I only requested the seer to descend from the fort on the hilltop so that his 7000-odd disciples follow him before 5 pm," he added. He said that timing for them to be inside the park was upto 5 pm. "I made the request around 2.30 pm", he added. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Magisterial-probe-ordered-into-Bandhavgarh-row/articleshow/11089140.cms