In a major setback to the incumbent leadership of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, the Directorate of Gurdwara Elections, Government of Delhi, has restrained the Badal Dal leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa-administered DSGMC from laying the foundation stone of the Bala Sahib Covid Hospital, announcing any Covid19-related relief packages, announcing sops like provision of drinking water facilities and construction of roads and making any fresh appointments to schools and other institutions under the DSGMC. WSN reports.

Citing various news reports and complaints received by the Directorate relating to violation of Model Code of Conduct by Manjinder Singh Sirsa-led DSGMC, especially relating to the laying of Foundation Stone of 125-bedded Bala Sahib Covid Hospital, the announcement of relief packages for Covid19-affected families and last-minute appointments prior to the DSGMC elections in institutions run by the DSGMC, the Director, Directorate of Gurdwara Elections Narinder Singh,  under Section 13 of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1971 has passed a Restraint Order, dated 9 August 2021, stopping the DSGMC from doing any of the above.

Significantly, the Directorate was supposed to clarify its stand through an affidavit in the Delhi High Court on the same day, in the same matter, which will be heard on 11 August.  As the Directorate was chastised by the presiding judge, Justice Prateek Jalan for complacency in the matter, the Directorate of the Delhi government has post-haste completed its task.

The Directorate in its Restraint Order sent to the President of DSGMC -Manjinder Singh Sirsa has mentioned that they had sought replies from the DSGMC on three occasions on 6 July, 7 July and 14 July.  However, the DSGMC through its replies on 12 July and 21 July had justified the impugned activity of laying the foundation stone of 125-bedded Bala Sahib Covid Hospital and other free services.

Moreover, DSGMC had challenged the authority of the Directorate of Gurdwara Elections in the matter of granting financial grants, laying foundation stones, promises of road construction, drinking water facilities and ad-hoc appointments in DSGMC-run bodies. 

The Directorate of Gurdwara Elections, Government of Delhi restraint order clearly states that “…the Directorate of Gurdwara Election is duty-bound not to allow any violation of Model Code of Conduct. The copies of Model Code of Conduct framed under the Rules, have already been circulated to all the contesting candidates/parties.”

“The Directorate of Gurdwara Election is duty-bound to conduct free and fair elections and also to see that there is no violation of Model Code of Conduct.”

Making a strong note, the Restraint order says that should the violations continue, the Directorate under powers conferred in Section 13(1) of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1971, would be at liberty to initiate further legal proceedings, if required, for ensuring level playing field for all the candidates in the upcoming DSGMC elections which is a necessary concomitant for conducting the free and fair election.”

“The Directorate of Gurdwara Election is duty-bound to conduct free and fair elections and also to see that there is no violation of Model Code of Conduct.”

Though it is a foregone conclusion that the Delhi High Court will accept this restraining order and disallow DSGMC from carrying on the purported Ardas ceremony of the Bala Sahib Hospital scheduled for 13 August, as the electioneering gains momentum in Delhi, all eyes will be on the hearing on 11 August 2021.