‘Wholly Impermissible’: Madhya Pradesh HC Bans Burning Of Sonam Raghuvanshi Effigy On Dussehra

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has banned the “Surupnakha Dahan,” a controversial Dussehra event in which effigies of 11 women accused in criminal cases were to be burned instead of Ravana.

A single bench of Justice Pranay Verma on Saturday directed the authorities to ensure that no effigies of Sonam Raghuvanshi, who allegedly conspired with her lover to kill her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, during their honeymoon, or any other individuals, are burnt during the event in Indore, news agency PTI reported.

While hearing a petition by Sonam’s mother, Sangeeta Raghuvanshi, seeking directions to stop a local Indore organisation from burning an effigy of her daughter, the High Court held that such an act would be impermissible in a democratic country like

India, and respondents cannot violate fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

The petitioner stated that the effigy burning would cause severe and lasting damage to the dignity of her family and constitute a gross violation of their fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

She further sought directions to ensure no “unlawful or unconstitutional” actions were carried out against the petitioner and her family.

”Even if the petitioner’s daughter is an accused in a criminal case and whatsoever may be the grievance of the respondent against her and her family members, it cannot be permitted to resort to such effigy burning, which would certainly violate the fundamental rights of the petitioner, her daughter, as well as her entire family,” the court said in its order.

Talking to news agency PTI on Sunday, Sangeeta Raghuvanshi said, ”The court has directed the district collector, police commissioner, and the station house officer (SHO) to ensure no such effigy burning takes place and to prevent any unlawful or unconstitutional acts that could tarnish the family’s reputation.”

What’s The Row?

’Paurush’ (People Against Unequal Rules Used to Shelter Harassment), an Indore-based social organisation, had earlier this week stated that it was preparing an 11-headed effigy for ‘Surpanakha dahan’, which will feature images of women accused of heinous murders of their husbands, children, or in-laws, including Sonam Raghuvanshi.

The effigy was to be paraded through the city in a colourful procession with drums, traditional instruments, and performances before being set ablaze at the Mahalaxmi Nagar Mela Ground at around 6:30 pm.

“If Ravana symbolised wrongdoing in his time, today’s society must confront modern-day ‘Surpanakhas’ who spread destruction in different ways,” Ashok Dashor, president of the organisation had said.

Dashor has now said that he will abide by the High Court’s order.

“We had earlier justified the effigy burning as a symbolic destruction of ’negative qualities like adultery, immorality, lack of values, and indecency,’ drawing parallels to mythological figures. However, with the arrival of the court direction, we will abide by the order,” he said as quoted by the news agency.

Raja Raghuvanshi Murder Case

Raja and Sonam, who got married on May 11 in Indore, went to Meghalaya on their honeymoon. He was found dead in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls in East Khasi Hills district on June 2, 10 days after the couple went missing, while a search continued for Sonam. She emerged in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur, around 1,200 km away from the crime spot, on June 9.

The murder took a sensational turn when Raghuvanshi’s wife, Sonam, was held by Meghalaya Police along with her three alleged aides, Akash Rajput (19), Vishal Singh Chauhan (22), and Raj Singh Kushwaha (20).

Police investigations suggest that Sonam conspired with Raj to commit the murder, allegedly roping in three others to aid in the crime.

On June 26, the Meghalaya Police recovered a country-made pistol, two magazines, and ammunition that were purchased by Raja’s wife’s alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha, for a second murder attempt in case the first attempt failed.

(With inputs from agencies)