Settle Dera issue politically: SC

The Dera Sacha Sauda moved the SC, seeking protection of its premises. But the court refused to give an urgent hearing, reports Satya Prakash.

Faced With an ultimatum from Akal Takht to vacate its branches across the country, the Dera Sacha Sauda on Friday moved the Supreme Court, seeking protection of its premises. But the court refused to give an urgent hearing saying the controversy should be resolved politically.

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“These are matters to be sorted out politically at the government level,” said a Bench headed by Justice Pasayat, who had been criticised in political quarters for having stayed the OBC quota law’s implementation recently.

The observation came when Dera counsel VK Ohri mentioned the Sirsa-based religious sect’s petition for protection of Deras for urgent hearing. Ohri said barely two days were left to meet the May 27 deadline set by the Sikh high priests to close down the Dera branches and the court should pass some interim orders to protect them. The Bench initially fixed June 4 for next hearing but later allowed the Dera counsel to mention it on Monday.