Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday minced no words to say that the damages caused to public and private properties, during the arson and violence following the Dera chief’s verdict, would be recovered from the violators and instigators.
The High Court has also asked the Dera Sacha Sauda to submit a list of its assets and properties which can be attached “in case it is found that they and their followers are responsible for the acts”.
The full Bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice SS Saron, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Avneesh Jhingan, has directed the Haryana Advocate-General BR Mahajan to tell its civil administration to “assess the damage and bring the statement before us”.
“The assets belong to the citizens of the country… Recovery will be made for damage to any property anywhere....” the Bench stated, while issuing a stern warning to the Dera and its followers.
“It is made clear that whoever has been instigating and inciting the crowd that has gathered to commit these acts of arson and violence, they would be sternly dealt with. The damages that are caused to public and private properties shall be recovered from them…
The Dera shall submit a list of its assets and properties which can be attached in case it is found that they and their followers are responsible for the acts,” read the order.
The Bench also directed the State of Haryana to provide paramilitary security to all judicial officers at Panchkula “round-the-clock”, while making it clear that “police officers, if any, who are responsible for this should be taken to task”.
The High Court convened a special hearing post-lunch to take stock of the situation arising out of the Dera verdict. The Bench fixed Saturday for the next hearing in the matter to access the law and order situation in the two affected States.
Earlier, during the pre-lunch hearing in the matter, the High Court had given a “free-hand” to the police and paramilitary forces, besides asking them to videograph the entire event.
As the Bench was informed about the deaths in the riots and the arson that broke out soon after the verdict, it asked the Haryana Government to use its force fully to curb lawlessness while making it clear, “We have no regret if any bad element has died.”
The Bench has also directed the registration of FIR in case any politician or “anybody else”, including Ministers, interfered in the enforcement of law. “In case of failure on the part of the police officer to register an FIR, similar action would be called against him,” the Bench added.