Patiala court issues summons to Granth Sahib in property dispute!

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, September 18

A dispute over a piece of land has taken a curious turn in Patiala with a local court making a gurdwara and its Guru Granth Sahib as party in the case and summoning them for the next hearing on September 25.

The case surrounds one kanal of land adjoining the gurdwara at Maddo Majra village, which was purchased by a resident, Baldev Singh, and donated for the shrine’s extension. The donation, however, was challenged in the court by Gurnaib Singh, who claimed the land was in his possession, and he had been tilling it, for the past several years.

Acting on Gurnaib’s plea, the court of Ramandeep Neetu, Civil Judge (Junior Division), issued notice to “Gurdwara Sahib of Maddo Majra, through Shri Guru Granth Sahib”.

The court order, issued on September 11, read: “This day was fixed for hearing of the above suit and summon was issued to you (gurdwara and the Guru Granth Sahib)… the plaintiff appeared… you did not appear… It has been proved to the satisfaction of the court that summon was served on you.” The development has left the villagers confused, who are considering approaching the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to ascertain whether the holy book could be taken to the court.

Land donor Baldev said the land was yet to be transferred in the gurdwara’s name. “We will consult the SGPC and if allowed, we will take the Guru Granth Sahib to court.”

Senior advocate Barjinder Singh Sodhi accused the plaintiff of allegedly misguiding the court. He demanded registration of a case against Gurnaib under section 295-A of the IPC for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. “Even if the plaintiff had filed an application against the gurdwara, the court should have ideally summoned the head or the manager of that particular shrine as the Guru Granth Sahib cannot be present in the court,” he said.

Citing a Supreme Court judgment passed a few years ago, former SGPC president and Sikh scholar Kirpal Singh Badungar said no court in the country could summon the Guru Granth Sahib.