deadly violence that erupted in the state +a special hearing, a full Bench of the court +Dera followers went on a rampage across Haryana +blamed anti-social elements for the violence +CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday castigated the Manohar Lal Khattar government over the, saying it had "surrendered" before the followers of Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for "political considerations".Atminced no words in slamming the chief minister for "protecting" the Dera followers and extending political patronage to them.The court observed that the BJP government seemed to have "surrendered before the followers of Dera Sacha Sauda for political considerations. ""This was a political surrender to allure vote bank," it observed, a day afterfollowing the conviction of the self-styled godman in a rape case by a court in Panchkula.Thirty-two people have died so far and over 250 are injured, with curfew being imposed at several places.The Bench, comprising acting Chief Justice S Singh Saron, Justice Avneesh Jhingan and Justice Surya Kant, was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a Panchkula resident who had raised law and order concerns and stated that over 1.5 lakh people had reportedly entered the district earlier despite prohibitory orders.The High Court also took note of Khattar's statement on Friday in which he, which also spilled over into neighbouring Punjab, Rajasthan and Delhi. Nineteen people have been arrested including one Gurdev Singh, a state-level office bearer of Dera Sacha Sauda, he said.Haryana Advocate General Baldev Raj Mahajan submitted that there have been 32 casualties in the state, 28 of which were from Panchkula. He said that out of the 28 bodies, one has been identified.As many as 524 people have been arrested in Panchkula, he said. Twenty-four vehicles, five pistols with 79 rounds, and 2 rifles with 52 rounds were recovered, he submitted before the court.Besides, iron rods, canes, hockey sticks and ten petrol bombs were also seized, he said.The court asked the government to verify a report carried in a regional daily that alleged that five Dera leaders had instigated and mobilised followers.The Bench directed the registration of an FIR against the instigators if the reporter stood by his report.The court had yesterday asked the Dera to submit the list of assets and properties which can be attached "in case it is found that they and their followers are responsible for damaging properties".The next hearing will be held on August 29.

Source: Times of India August 26, 2017 14:13 UTC