Set up panel to manage Sirsa dera schools, HC tells Haryana

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana high court on Wednesday directed Haryana government to constitute a committee headed by local deputy commissioner (DC) for smooth functioning of educational institutes run by Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa.

The committee will be presided over by Sirsa DC, along with a district education officer (DEO) and two retired principals of government schools as its members. The high court acted on the plea of dera seeking de-freezing of accounts arguing that institutes’ management was facing financial difficulties. The Haryana government had sealed accounts of dera, besides those of educational and other institutes related with it.

The high court (HC) full bench presided over by Justice Surya Kant during the resumed hearing of Panchkula violencerelated issues made it clear that accounts will not be operated by the dera management and any decision with regard to financial transactions will be taken by this committee.

The HC has also asked Sirsa civil surgeon to constitute a similar committee for smooth functioning of hospitals run by dera in Sirsa. The Haryana government has been asked to submit a proposal on next date of hearing in this regard. There are thousands of students in seven educational institutes in Sirsa run by dera.

Dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim is behind bars for raping two disciples on dera premises in 2002. He was convicted on August 25, 2017. His conviction

had led to widespread violence in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

15 KEY DERA MEMBERS STILL AT LARGE

The Haryana police told the HC that 15 key dera functionaries, who are wanted in many cases related to violence that erupted after Ram Rahim conviction last year — including its spokesperson Aditya Insan — were still at large.

The court was told that nonbailable warrants had been issued against them. As many as 21 persons were arrested between February 6 hearing and now, the court was told.

However, HC was unhappy over failure of police in nabbing Aditya Insan, who carries a

reward of ₹5 lakh on his head.

Meanwhile, the HC issued notice to Haryana government on a plea for naming Ram Rahim as prime accused in Panchkula violence.

Over 35 persons had died in the violence following his conviction on August 25.

The government had been claiming that violence was premeditated and dera functionaries were involved.

The two petitioners in this case have cited media reports, in which Haryana police officials were quoted as saying that Ram Rahim was behind the violence.

The court has issued notice to Ram Rahim, his close aide Honeypreet and Haryana government among others.