SC passes stay order on petition filed by Dera Sacha follower

New Delhi, Aug 27 (UNI) The Supreme Court today stayed the judgement of Punjab and Haryana High courts directing the administrator to file a personal affidavit to the petition filed by a follower of Dera Sacha Sauda seeking directions to Punjab, Haryana and the Chandigarh administrations to provide adequate security to the Deras and its followers.

A bench comprising Justice B N Agrawal and Justice P K Balasubramanyan also issued notices to the petitioners in Punjab and Haryana High courts.

Senior counsel Harish Salve appearing for the Chandigarh administration contended before the Apex Court that the administrator of Chandigarh Gen (Retd) S F Rodrigues, who is also the Governor of Punjab enjoyed immunity from the court proceedings.

The court even cannot issue directions to the Governor to file a personal affivadit, hence the order of the High Court dated July 19, 2007 was illegal and should be set aside.

The High Court, on May 2007, had directed the Chandigarh home secretary as well as other senior officers to file a personal affidavit, showing compliance with the orders of the High Court. But on July 18, 2007, the court rejected the affidavit of Gen (Retd) Rodrigues holding that the affidavit was not in accordance with the order of the court, directing the administrator and home secretary to file a better affidavit.

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is facing the wrath of the Sikh community, for dressing himself as Guru Govind Singh. The community is also offended with the fact that Ram Rahim Singh was involved in several criminal cases.

UNI