Devotees file counter-complaint alleging misconduct, religious insult
Munish Sood
Kullu:
Six days after the alleged assault on on-duty Tehsildar Hari Singh Yadav during the International Dussehra Festival in Kullu, no arrest has been made so far in the high-profile case even as the controversy continues to intensify.
Police officials have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, but the case has now taken a new turn with a counter-complaint filed by the devotees of deity Bhrigu Rishi, accusing the Tehsildar himself of misconduct and hurting religious sentiments.
Devotees submit counter-complaint to ASP Kullu
A group of devotees led by Rahul Thakur and Aman Sood met Kullu Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) at Dhalpur and handed over a written complaint against the Tehsildar. They alleged that on October 1, 2025, around 7 pm, Tehsildar Hari Singh entered the deity’s temporary camp wearing shoes, a serious breach of traditional decorum during the Dussehra festivities.
“When we requested him to remove his shoes, he got angry, used abusive language and said he was the owner of the fair,” claimed Rahul Thakur. The complaint further stated that the Tehsildar threatened to ensure that their deity would not be invited to next year’s Dussehra festival.
The devotees alleged that the next day, when priests and saints from nearby deity camps arrived to perform purification rituals, the Tehsildar again made insulting remarks toward the deity. “He said he had seen many such deities and told us to get lost,” the complaint read.
According to Rahul Thakur’s written statement, when he confronted the Tehsildar again, the officer allegedly said, “You are the same boy who was talking too much yesterday — I’ll put you and your deity in jail.”
The remark, according to the devotees, deeply hurt their religious sentiments. The situation escalated and the Tehsildar was taken to the deity’s camp where, in the presence of priests and officials, he later apologised before the deity.
Devotees demand Tehsildar’s transfer, suspension
In their complaint, the Bhrigu Rishi devotees have demanded that the government transfer Tehsildar Hari Singh from Kullu, suspend him and order a formal inquiry into his conduct. “This is not the first time. He misbehaved with devotees in 2023 and 2024 as well,” said Aman Sood.
The devotees have sought legal action against the Tehsildar under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Sections 295, 295A, 296, 298 (hurting religious sentiments and insulting a deity); 153A, 153, 505 (promoting enmity and spreading hatred); 151 (disturbing public peace); 166 (misuse of official authority) and 351, 352 (threat and intimidation).
Police confirm probe underway
When contacted, the Kullu Superintendent of Police Karthikeyan Gokulachandran confirmed that the case was under investigation, and that no arrests had been made so far. “The FIR registered earlier pertains to the assault on the Tehsildar. The counter-complaint submitted by the devotees is being verified and statements from both sides are being recorded,” the SP said.
The incident occurred on the opening day of the Kullu International Dussehra when Tehsildar Hari Singh was allegedly dragged and pushed by devotees after a heated exchange inside the Bhrigu Rishi deity’s camp. Videos of the episode quickly went viral, sparking statewide debate over the clash between administrative authority and traditional religious customs during one of Himachal Pradesh’s most sacred cultural events.
