SGPC row: Supreme Court orders status quo

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the SGPC and its rival, Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, to maintain the status quo on the running of all Sikh gurdwaras in Haryana till further orders, and ordered the state government to ensure law and order.

A bench headed by Chief Justice R.M. Lodha said the shrines under the control of the groups at the time of passing this interim order (2.30 pm on Thursday) shall continue to be with them.

The bench passed the order after the Haryana government submitted that the HSGMC has taken control of around 6-7 out of 52 gurdwaras in the state, which was challenged by the SGPC, which claimed its rival had taken over just one shrine in Kurukshetra.

The court directed that “the DGP of the state and SPs of concerned districts ensure that law and order is not disturbed in any manner whatsoever’. It also directed the rival factions to open new bank accounts for gurdwaras, and deposit gifts and offerings.