Chandigarh, Sep 20: The Punjab and Haryana High Court today recalled its order of September one allowing Sehajdhari (non-baptised) Sikhs to vote in the SGPC polls. It said the case would now be heard on September 22 by a newly-constituted Full Bench of the court.
The September one order was issued after senior lawyer Harbhagwan Singh informed the High Court that the Centre's notification of October 8, 2003 debarring Sehajdhari Sikhs from casting votes had been withdrawn.
The next day the Centre clarified the notification was still in force and there was no proposal to withdraw it. On September six, the High Court stayed its September one ruling following a petition by the Centre seeking recall of the order.
The Centre had submitted that there was no proposal to withdraw the notification and that Harbhagwan who withdrew it on its behalf had not been authorised to do so. The elections to the General House of the SGPC were held on September 18.
The Supreme Court had given green signal for holding the polls.
It said results of the elections would, however, be subject to the final outcome of the case pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Ruling SAD-Sant Samaj alliance had swept the SGPC polls bagging 157 seats. The SGPC General House has 170 elected members. PTI
