Haryana gurdwara row: SC says maintain status quo

, Aug 7: The

Thursday directed SGPC and Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee to maintain status quo in respect of all the 52 gurdwaras in Haryana as of 2.30 p.m. Thursday.

The apex court bench headed by Chief Justice RM Lodha directed SGPC and HSGMC to open separate bank accounts to deposit the offerings by devotees in these 52 gurdwaras.

The court also directed the police chief of the state to take all steps to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident.

Of the 52 gurdwaras in respect of which the status quo has to be maintained, eight are of historical importance, 17 are those which have an earning of Rs.20 lakh per annum and each of the remaining gurdwaras are earning less than Rs.20 lakh per annum.

The SC directed the police chief to take all steps to maintain law & order

The court's direction came on a petition by Harbhajan Singh - a member of SGPC from Kurukshetra - seeking the invalidation of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara (Management) Act 2014, contending that it was ultra vires of the constitution and the state assembly had no power to enact it.

IANS