WSC case proceedings stayed

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12: Proceedings in the World Sikh Council case, filed against Justice Kuldip Singh's appointment as the president of the ...

CHANDIGARH, Oct 12: Proceedings in the World Sikh Council case, filed against Justice Kuldip Singh8217;s appointment as the president of the council, were stayed till tomorrow by UT District and Sessions Judge B S Bedi, today.

At the very onset, two applications were moved by Brigadier Gurdip Singh on behalf of the World Sikh Council for staying the proceedings as a quot;good prima facie case was in their favourquot; and for transferring the suit to Additional Senior Sub Judge Sant Parkash8217;s court.

Taking up the applications, the proceedings pending before the Sub Judge8217;s court were initially stayed by the district Judge till October 24. Notices were also issued to the plaintiffs, former MLA Talib Singh Sandhu and Baldev Singh Brar, for the same date.

The date was, however, advanced after an application seeking the same was moved by the plaintiffs. It was contended that the suit may be transferred to any court except the Additional Senior Sub Judge8217;s court and their application for staying Justice Kuldip Singh8217;s working as the chairman-cum-president be decided without delay.

Earlier, in the application filed by Brigadier Gurdip Singh8217;s counsel for staying the proceedings, it was stated that quot;all the litigation was being done by disgruntled elements in an effort to frustrate the smooth functioning of the World Sikh Councilquot;.

It was added that World Sikh Council quot;as constituted now was validly constituted and was working to achieve the laudable objectives for which it was constitutedquot;.

Seeking the transfer of the case from Sub Judge Jasbir Singh8217;s court to Additional Senior Sub Judge8217;s court, the counsel stated that the other suit quot;involving an identical controversyquot;, filed by Shamsher Singh Maloya, was to come up on October 17. Transferring the case would ensure against multiplicity of litigation and avoid conflicting judgments. Further, the Additional Senior Sub Judge was aware of the entire background of the controversy as he had been dealing with the suit, the counsel stated.

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Earlier, during the day, the plaintiffs, in another application filed before Sub Judge Jasbir Singh had sought directions asking Justice Kuldip Singh to produce the quot;alleged appointment letterquot;, besides the statement of accounts relating to the funds of the council.

Meanwhile, in a joint press statement issued today, SGPC member Amrinder Singh and president of SAD8217;s youth wing Davinder Singh stated that efforts to resolve the crisis involving the WSC had suffered a set back due to the filing of the suit. They added that resolving the controversy through dialogue was in the interest of the panth.