Delhi state authority threatens DSGMC with action over Sikh Genocide 1984 memorial

New Delhi, India (June 13, 2013): As per media reports on June 12, 2013 the Delhi High Court declined to grant stay on the construction of a memorial at Gurudwara Rakabganj Sahib complex in Delhi as New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) told the court that legal action will be taken soon if the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) continue with the project.

As per information, the court, however, issued a notice to Delhi government, NDMC, DDA, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) and its President Sardar Manjit Singh GK and sought their replies by July 17 on former DSGMC President Paramjit Singh Sarna’s plea to stop the construction.

Justice Jayant Nath recorded the submissions of NDMC counsel Vivek Sood that “action has been initiated. On June 6, a show cause notice was issued to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) and its President Sardar Manjit Singh GK in which the legal consequences were also mentioned…It will take action as per law in 2/3 days”.

It is learnt that the DSGMC’s counsel Sudhir Nandrajog informed the high court that a memorial is only a proposed plan and the nature of the structure would be done as per the bylaws.

Refusing to give any undertaking, the senior lawyer said it can be a memorial garden or a fountain and at this stage NDMC should not interfere.

The court was reportedly hearing Sarna’s plea seeking stoppage of construction of the memorial alleging the Gurdwara is a heritage property and for any construction the management has to seek permission of NDMC.

It is notable that the DSGMC laid the foundation stone of the Sikh Genocide 1984 memorial on June 12, 2013.