Forces to enter Dera HQ after HC appoints judicial magistrate: Khattar

TIL Desk/National/Chandigarh/ Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has said the Punjab and Haryana High Court was monitoring the Dera Sacha Sauda issue and the administration will enter the sect’s headquarters at Sirsa after the court appoints a judicial magistrate for the purpose.

To a question why the administration was hesitating to enter the sect’s headquarters, he said in Karnal, “The Punjab and Haryana high court is monitoring the entire (Dera) issue. We have sought appointment of a judicial magistrate and will also follow all the directions of the court.” Khattar said the forces cannot enter on their own.

“They cannot go on their own. The court is monitoring the entire thing… We do not want that any finger is pointed at us tomorrow that how we allowed them (the forces to go inside the sect’s headquarters),” the chief minister said. Khattar said the sprawling campus of the Dera at Sirsa, spread over 800 acres, would be searched only after a judicial magistrate is appointed for the purpose.

The HC had earlier taken up a PIL filed by Ravinder Dhull, a Panchkula resident, who had raised concerns over the law and order situation and stated that over 1.5 lakh people had reportedly entered the district earlier despite prohibitory orders.