IndiaMART CEO, two others booked for selling Govardhan Hill rocks
The CEO of IndiaMART, an e-commerce site, and two others, were booked on Sunday for allegedly putting up an online sale of Govardhan Hill rocks, the police said. Govardhan Hill in Mathura is considered a sacred site for Hindus as it is the setting for many legends relating to Lord Krishna's life who is believed to be embodied in the earth of the hill.
FIR filed under Section 265 of IPC
Shirish Chandra, SP (rural) of Mathura said, "An FIR has been filed under Section 265 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 66 of the Information Technology (IT) Act against IndiaMART founder-CEO Dinesh Agarwal, co-founder Brajesh Agarwal, and Mathura-based supplier Ankur Agrawal."
Ten more complaints have been clubbed for a single probe
Chandra said, "The FIR was lodged based on a complaint by Mathura-based social worker Keshav Mukhia at Govardhan Police Station." "Stern action will be taken against the company, its CEO, and the supplier for inciting religious feelings by misusing information technology facility," he added. "Ten more complaints on the issue filed at the same station have been clubbed for a single probe," officials said.
Demonstrations held against attempts to trade the deity
According to the police, "The website claimed that the rocks were natural and quoted its price as Rs. 5,175 per piece." Hundreds of people demonstrated in front of Govardhan Police Station against attempts by the company to trade the deity.
Govardhan is Krishna himself: Siya Ram Baba
Siya Ram Baba, a saint from Mathura, condemned the act by the company saying, "Govardhan is Krishna himself. Anybody entering into a trade involving Govardhan would be inviting the wrath of the deity." Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Brahmin Mahasabha has decided to meet the Mathura District Magistrate on Monday for strict action against the company and the supplier.
