CLU exemption granted to several buildings in Dera withdrawn

The change of land use (CLU) exemption granted to several buildings including a cricket stadium and a cinema hall inside the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda complex have been withdrawn by the Haryana government, the Punjab and Haryana High Court was informed today.

During a resumed hearing on a petition, Haryana Advocate General B R Mahajan said the CLU exemption given to 11 properties was withdrawn while two applications which the Dera had given seeking CLU permission were also rejected.

The full bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, A G Masih, and Avneesh Jhingan was hearing the petition filed by Panchkula resident Ravinder Dhull, who filed petition last year concerned over the law and order situation in his town.

 

The high court also passed directions for the setting up of an ad hoc committee to run the educational institutions located at the Dera, whose head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was jailed last year in a rape case.

"A four member committee led by Deputy Commissioner (Sirsa) and District Education Officer will be set up to run educational institutions inside the Dera," said Dhull.

The civil surgeon of Sirsa has also been asked to submit a report on whether the hospital inside the Dera headquarters could be reopened, the petitioner informed.

The bench also sought an investigation report in connection with an alleged conspiracy to free Ram Rahim Singh from the Panchkula court premises after his conviction in a rape case in August last. Ram Rahim Singh was also put on notice in the case.

The bench was also informed that efforts were being made by Haryana police to nab key Dera functionary Aditya Insaan in connection with incidents of violence in Panchkula.

The next date of hearing was fixed for May 15.

Over 40 persons were killed and scores injured during violence that erupted following the conviction of Ram Rahim Singh Singh in a rape case by a Panchkula CBI court last year.