Case filed against Indurikar Maharaj over his remarks

A case has been registered against popular Marathi 'kirtankar' (preacher) Nivrutti Maharaj Indurikar at a court in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra over his alleged remarks on the timing of intercourse and the gender of child.

Medical superintendent of Sangamner tehsil in Ahmednagar said that the case against Indurikar was registered in First Class (Judicial Magistrate) court in Sangamner under relevant sections of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act.

During his kirtan (sermon) at a hamlet in Ahmednagar district held earlier this year, the preacher had reportedly said that intercourse by a couple on an even date would beget a male child, while on an odd date would result in the birth of a girl.

"If intercourse with a woman is done on even date, a male child is born and if intercourse is done on an odd date, a girl child is born. If intercourse is done at an inauspicious time, the child that is born would bring a bad name to the family. If the timing (of intercourse) is missed, the quality of output (child) will be sub-standard," he was heard saying in a video that had gone viral.

Dr Bhaskar Bhavar, Sangamner's health superintendent, who registered a case in the court, said, "A Mumbai-based journalist and a Sangamner-based social activist and advocate Ranjana Gawande had approached the authorities with a complaint against Indurikar."

"Subsequently, the issue was discussed during a PCPNDT committee meeting and it was decided unanimously that an offence be registered against Indurikar Maharaj," he said.