The Supreme court today directed rival groups SGPC and HSGMC to maintain status quo on the management control of gurudwaras in Haryana till further orders and directed the state government to take all steps to maintain law and order.
A bench headed by Chief Justice R M Lodha said that the shrines under the control of the groups at the time of passing of this interim order at 02:30 PM today shall continue to be with them.
"We are directing to maintain status quo to subject gurudwaras as existing today at 02:30 PM in all respect," the bench, also comprising justices M B Lokur and Kurian Joseph, said.
The apex court passed the order after Haryana government submitted that Haryana Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (HSGMC) has taken control of around 6-7 out of 52 gurudwaras in the state, a contention refuted by SGPC which submitted that its rival has taken over just one shrine in Kurukshetra district.
The bench said that there is no reason not to believe the state government's contention and directed the Haryana government to take all necessary steps for maintaining peace.
"The DGP of the state and SP of concerned districts are directed to ensure that law and order situation is not disturbed in any manner whatsoever and take all necessary measures," the bench said, while also directing the rival factions to open new bank accounts for gurudwaras, the management of which were in their possession and deposit gifts and offerings.
Senior advocate Raju Ramachandran, appearing for Haryana, contended that the situation in the state is tense but under control and it has identified five flashpoints.
He assured the bench that the state is committed to prevent any untoward incident.
Before passing the order, the bench also perused the report of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), provided by Ministry of Home Affairs through Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi.
The 52 gurudwaras are classified into three schedules and the first contains eight historical shrines while the second has 17 and the rest falls in the third schedule.
