Chandigarh:
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday issued notices to Haryana Home Secretary, DGP and Panchkula SP on a man's petition seeking release of his wife from the "clutches" of Dera Sacha Sauda chief whom he accused of holding her in captivity and sexually exploiting her.
Justice L N Mittal issued notices on a petition filed by Vishwas Gupta, whereby he had alleged sexual exploitation of his wife by Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
Gupta has alleged that his grandfather, Rulia Ram Gupta, former MLA from Gharaunda constituency and he became devotees of Dera Sacha Sauda and were "lured by the Dera head to sell off their agricultural land and property".
The proceeds were deposited with Dera factories, and it was agreed that the amount would be returned to the Guptas when asked for but the agreement was allegedly breached later.
Gupta further alleged that the religious sect head selected a girl of his choice from Fatehabad for him and solemnised their marriage on February 14, 1999.
However, the Dera head later made a declaration that he had adopted Gupta's wife.
The petitioner further alleged that his wife was not allowed by the Dera chief to stay with him even for a day.
Seeking release of his wife from the "clutches" of the Dera head, the petitioner brought to the notice of the court that threats from the Dera head had forced him and his family to shift to Panchkula but his wife is still with Gurmeet Ram Raheem Singh who has not bothered to release her despite repeated requests.