TNN | Aug 29, 2014, 03.39AM IST

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TNN | Aug 29, 2014, 03.39AM IST

CHANDIGARH: Taking cognizance of a petition against the Z category security given to Nurmahal-based Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan (DJJS) founder Ashutosh Maharaj, who has been declared ‘clinically dead,’ the Punjab and Haryana high court on Thursday issued a notice to Punjab government seeking its reply on the issue. Alleging that deshare
CHANDIGARH: Taking cognizance of a petition against the Z category security given to Nurmahal-based Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan (DJJS) founder Ashutosh Maharaj, who has been declared ‘clinically dead,’ the Punjab and Haryana high court on Thursday issued a notice to Punjab government seeking its reply on the issue. Alleging that despite the body of the spiritual leader being kept in a freezer for a long time, petitioner had sought directions to recover expenses incurred on Z security during this period.

Petitioner Harinder Singh Sidhu and others have argued that head of DJJS Ashutosh Maharaj had died more than seven months ago and was declared clinically dead in January 2014, but the Z security provided to him was continuing till date. Petitioners sought directions to Punjab government to withdraw the security cover. Hearing the contentions, a division bench headed by acting Chief Justice Ashutosh Mohunta asked the state government to file its reply on the issue on September 11. On April 4, Punjab government had clarified before the high court that Ashutosh Maharaj had died a natural death.

Ashutosh Maharaj was declared clinically dead but dera functionaries had been claiming that he was in “Samadhi”. His body has been kept in deep freezer by his followers at DJJS headquarters in Nurmahal.