The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a PIL seeking directions for protection, audit and regulation of Sikh religious and heritage properties across India, saying the issue fell within the legislative domain requiring amendments to existing laws.
“If we step in, it might appear as though there is interference in religious matters,” a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said.
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The Bench asked petitioner Charanjeet Singh to raise his grievances before the Committee on Petitions of Parliament even as it granted him liberty to move the top court again if dissatisfied with the parliamentary response.
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Constituted by the Speaker under Rule 306 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the Committee on Petitions examines every petition referred to it, and if the petition complies with the rules, the Committee may direct that the petition may be circulated in extenso or in summary form; where, however, circulation of the petition has not been directed by the Committee, the Speaker may at any time direct that the petition be circulated.
It reports to the House on specific complaints made in the petition referred to it after taking such evidence as it deems fit and suggests remedial measures either in a concrete form applicable to the case under review or to prevent such cases in future.
Appearing as a petitioner-in-person, Singh — who was also attached to a Delhi Sikh body — urged the Bench to issue notice on his petition. “I bow before you. Please issue a notice on my petition,” Singh submitted.
Maintaining that the doors of the top court were always open, the CJI told Singh that 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,” CJI Kant told the petitioner who argued his case in Hindi.
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,” the petition submitted.
Singh wanted the top court to direct 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”.
The petitioner wanted 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.
Singh 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