Patna HC stays on Nirmal Baba's arrest

The Patna High Court on Tuesday (May 22) stays on the arrest of controversial godman Nirmal Baba, in the connection of an alleged fraud case.

A district court in Araria, Bihar court had issued a non-bailable warrant (NBA) against him.

The HC has also set the next hearing date on June 18. The court has also directed the state to file a petition within four weeks.

Passing an interim order in response of a petition filled by Nirmal Baba seeking stays on his arrest, Patna HC said that legal procedures were not followed in the case, neither summons or court notices were issued by the lower court before issuing a Non-Bailable Warrant against him.

Bihar's Araria district court has issued a NBW against Nirmal Baba alias Nirmaljeet Singh Narula on the complaint filed by Rakesh Kumar Singh alleging that he was cheated by the godman.

Rakesh Kumar had lodged a FIR against Nirmal Baba accusing him of fraud and cheating at a police station in Bihar's Araria district.

The court of Araria Chief Judicial Magistrate Satyendra Razak then issued a warrant of arrest on the basis of an FIR filed on April 21 by complainant who alleged that the Baba forced him to pay Rs. 1,000 in three installments between January and March 2011 on promise of fame and fortune.

In his complaint, Singh also sent by courier counterfoils of the deposits of Rs 300 twice and Rs 400 in the Baba's account at the Punjab and National Bank to his Delhi address as sought.

In his protection, Nirmal Baba through one of his follower filled an application in Patna HC seeking to quash NBW issued by the lower court.

--With Agencies Inputs--