Kullu Deputy Commissioner appointed caretaker of Bhuntar gurdwara

Vijay Arora

Shimla, September 8

The HP High Court has appointed the Kullu Deputy Commissioner as the caretaker and receiver of the property owned by Shri Guru Granth Sahib at Bhuntar with a view to protecting it.

While deciding a more than two decades’ old civil appeal last week, the court issued directions to all contesting parties, which were claiming rights over the management of the property, to hand it over to the Kullu Deputy Commissioner within two weeks.

Justice Sureshwar Thakur directed the Deputy Commissioner that with the assistance of Sikh scholars ensure the maintenance and dedicated upkeep of the hallowed precincts wherein the sacred scripture is installed.

The court directed him to ensure regular dedicated observances of all rituals pertaining to the Sikh religion. Besides, he would also keep regular audited accounts of the salaries paid as well as the revenue earned from the property.

The Deputy Commissioner would also ensure future renovations of the holy shrine from the income of the property with the assistance of Sikh sevadars and scholars.

The court passed the directions while disposing of an appeal of 1997 regarding a dispute between the members of a family and the members of the committee of Gurdwara Granth Sahib, Bhuntar, claiming rights over the management of the gurdwara. The court observed, “As per Section 38 of the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, the civil court has no jurisdiction to try and maintain suits pertaining to the gurdwara property, which was instituted before it without the prior mandatory permission from the Deputy Commissioner”.

Dispute over rights to manage Bhuntar shrine

• The 1997 case pertains to a dispute over rights to manage the gurdwara at Bhuntar
• The Deputy Commissioner will also ensure future renovations of the gurdwara from the income of the property with the assistance of Sikh sevadars and scholars