Punjab and Haryana HC orders Income Tax, Enforcement Directorate to probe Dera Sacha Sauda properties

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Rohtak: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday directed the Income Tax department and Enforcement Directorate to launch an investigation into the allegations of money laundering in the functioning of Dera Sacha Sauda. 

Speaking to news agency ANI, a petitioner's lawyer said, "The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered the Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate to conduct a probe in properties, both movable and immovable, relating to Dera of Ram Rahim."

"The High Court asked retired sessions judge Anil KS Pawar, who was appointed as a court commissioner to oversee the sanitisation process of Dera Sacha Sauda, to submit a copy of the report to the government," the lawyer said.

The bench also asked the Haryana government to clear its stand whether any movable property was shifted out of the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda before an inspection was being carried out at the sect. 

The court also asked both the states to set up their respective tribunals to examine the claims of damages of properties received from petitioner. 

"The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered that there will be two tribunals constituted - one for Punjab and another for Haryana. These tribunals will examine if the claims made by people are genuine or not and if it is, then how much amount are they entitled to," the lawyer said. 

"After the tribunals submit the report, the Punjab and Haryana High Court will decide as to how much amount has to be paid to claimants," he added.