Dehradun, Sept. 3 -- A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Nainital High Court seeking an independent and time-bound investigation into a "purification" ritual allegedly conducted by workers of a right-wing group following Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's rally in Haldwani.

The petition, filed by Dehradun-based lawyer Baijnath Chauhan, is scheduled for hearing before a Division Bench of the High Court on September 7.

The controversy began after a Congress rally at Ramlila Ground in Haldwani on August 8, ahead of the 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly elections. Members of a right-wing group allegedly later conducted a 'shuddhikaran' ritual at the venue, drawing criticism from Congress leaders.

Speaking to ANI, Baijnath...