HC issues notices to Dera chief for ‘castration’ of sadhus

In addition to the petitioner,seven sadhus also filed their affidavits,on Friday,alleging they were castrated by doctors in Dera Sacha Sauda at the behest of Raheem. Taking note of the serious accusations,the High Court also issued notices to the Haryana government to file its response on the demand of medical examination by October 10. Advocate Navkiran Singh,counsel for the petitioner,averred that the present case is of serious nature and demanded a CBI probe. On July 19,Navkiran had sought directions from the high court to “suitably compensate” the victims who have been rendered impotent. The petitioner had sought police protection for himself and the 400 sadhus and has demanded a CBI probe.

It might be mentioned here that the Dera chief was a not a respondent in the original petition. He was added as a respondent in the petition by way of an application filed on Friday. The petitioner has submitted that he has been associated with the Dera since 1990 and used to sing bhajans and play musical instruments at the Dera. He was castrated in the Dera Sacha Sauda along with 15 to 20 other followers in 2000 with the false hope that he would be treated as one of the most trusted followers of Gurmeet Ram Raheem Singh.

The petitioner had further alleged that of the 400 sadhus who have now been castrated,100 are from the internal security ring of the Dera Chief.

Court allows Capt’s SA visit

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Hayana High Court on Friday permitted state Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh to visit South Africa but has directed the Congress leader to deposit a surety of three lakh rupees with a Mohali lower court. The counsel for the Punjab government opposed the petition filed by Amarinder,contending that as the Amritsar Improvement Trust case was pending adjudication before a trial court and is at the stage of framing of charges,captain’s visit might adversely affect the trial. Amarinder’s counsel,however,argued that a two-week visit will not make a difference to the trial. The high court granted the Congress leader,permission to visit abroad. Amarinder,on Thursday,had moved the high court seeking permission to visit South Africa after a Mohali lower court,on Wednesday,deferred the hearing of his case to July 30.