Haryana orders probe into bodies sent by Sirsa Dera to Lucknow

Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Friday ordered the state Director General of Health Services to inquire into reports that the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda authorities sent 14 bodies to a medical college in Lucknow in the past.

"There were media reports that 14 bodies were sent from the Dera to a medical college in Lucknow. If this was done, formalities should have been completed. The reason for sending the bodies must be ascertained. Orders have been issued to examine the matter and bring out the facts in the case," said Vij, who last year gave a grant of Rs 50 lakh to the Dera for sporting activities.

The Minister said he had gone to participate in a sports event organised by the Dera last year, where he announced the grant.

"This grant was not given to (sect chief) Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. It was given to encourage sportspersons from the Dera," Vij said.

"Whenever any grant is given to any society or institute, it has to submit a utilisation certificate which is examined by the government from time to time," he added.

Ram Rahim was convicted by a CBI court in Panchkula town of Haryana on August 25 for the rape of two female disciples in 1999. He was later sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and is lodged in the District Jail at Sunaria near Rohtak.

His conviction led to violence in Panchkula and Sirsa in Haryana, leaving 38 people dead and 264 injured. Isolated incidents of violence were also reported from Delhi and several other places in Punjab.

--IANS

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