3 NGOs file PIL against Dera chief in Punjab

Chandigarh, Aug 15: A PIL is jointly being filed by three city-based human rights organisations in the Punjab and Haryana High Court here, praying for the removal of all women inmates of Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda.

The PIL is aimed at seeking directions to authorities concerned for having a comprehensive probe into the affairs of the Dera Sacha Sauda and its head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, especially the acquisition of huge properties running into billions of rupees. It has also sought to know the political patronage to the Dera and has referred to the visit of Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, his wife and son to the Dera as such visits by political personalities send a message about the influence of the Dera because of patronage.

The NGOs wish to look into this in the context of political leaders's role in strengthening the Dera.

The PIL being filed through their counsel Jagmohan Singh Bhatti, who heads one of the three human rights organisations, wants to know how so many young girls were lured to the Dera, and proposed action against those who might be involved in the exploitation of the young women inmates of Dera.

It favours setting up a committee to go into the entirety of the activities of the Dera and how it came to amass large properties.

The three NGOs are All India Human Rights Watch (Regd), Global Human Rights Council (Regd) and Human Rights Forum (Regd), Mr Bhatti said.

UNI