The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday stayed its September 1 ruling allowing Sehajdharis (non-baptised Sikhs) to exercise franchise in the September 18 Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) elections following a petition by the Centre seeking recall of the order.
The full bench of the court also issued notices to Sehajdhari Sikh Federation (SSF), SGPC, states of Punjab and Haryana and Union Territory Chandigarh on the petition of the Centre and asked them to submit their reply on September 13.
Tempers ran high as the application filed by the Centre came up for hearing. Mukesh Berry, Additional Advocate General of Punjab, accused the Centre of hatching a conspiracy. “A novel method was adopted by the Central government and the petitioners to get relief from the court. It is a conspiracy between the Central government and the petitioners,” he added.
Berry also requested the court to seek an explanation from senior lawyer Harbhagwan Singh, who had allegedly made a “false” statement before the bench that the Centre has decided to withdraw the notification, whereby Sehajdhari Sikhs were denied voting rights in SGPC elections. Reacting to the request, Justice M M Kumar, speaking for the full bench, remarked that it was for the court to decide.
On the other hand, Assistant Solicitor General of India Anmol Rattan Sidhu — appearing on behalf of the Union government — vehemently objected to the allegation of conspiracy levelled by Berry.
Directing the lawyers not to indulge in cross talks, Justice Kumar stated that “time has come when we must demand everything in writing”.
with thanks : Indian Express : link above for detailed news.
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