SC refuses to entertain PIL for protection, audit of Sikh religious properties

The Supreme Court of India refused to entertain a PIL seeking a national authority and audits to protect Sikh religious and heritage properties. The court stated the relief falls under legislative domain and directed the petitioner to Parliament's Petitions Committee.

New Delhi:  The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a PIL seeking a slew of directions for protection, audit and regulation of Sikh religious and heritage properties across the country.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi asked petitioner Charanjeet Singh, who appeared in person and argued his case, to raise his grievances before the Parliamentary Petitions Committee.

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Singh, who was also attached to a Delhi Sikh body, at one point bowed before the bench and urged it to issue notice. “I bow before you. Please issue a notice on my petition,” Singh said.

The CJI said while the doors of the court are always open, the relief sought fell within the legislative domain.

“The court is here for you; you may come whenever you wish. But these issues require amendments to the law, for which you must go to Parliament. You should approach the Petition Committee of Parliament,” the CJI said.

“If we step in, it might appear as though there is interference in religious matters,” the CJI said, while granting the petitioner the liberty to return to the Supreme Court if he remains dissatisfied with the parliamentary response.

The PIL sought a sweeping overhaul of how Sikh religious and heritage properties are managed across the country.

“Issue a writ of mandamus directing the Union of India to constitute a National Khalsayi Sikh Heritage Protection Authority for identification, preservation, audit and protection of all Khalsayi Sikh heritage properties across India,” it said.

It also sought a direction to all state governments and the UTs to prepare and submit to the court a “complete inventory of all Sikh religious, historical and endowment properties within their respective jurisdictions, including details of ownership, lease, transfer and encroachments”.

It also sought a direction to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India to conduct a special audit of all statutory bodies, boards, committees and trusts managing Sikh religious properties.

It also sought a direction to the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate to inquire into cases “involving large-scale illegal alienation, undervaluation, misappropriation or laundering of proceeds derived from Sikh heritage properties.”