Chandigarh, December 7

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notice of motion to the state of Punjab on a petition filed by Prithvi Raj Nain, summoned as a witness in a sacrilege-related case in which Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was examined by the Punjab Police.

Nain is presently serving as vice-chairman of the dera management committee. He was seeking the issuance of at least seven-day advance notice in case coercive action was taken against him.

Appearing before the Bench of Justice Raj Mohan Singh, senior counsel Vinod Ghai with Kirti Ahuja and Kanika Ahuja contended notice under Section 160, CrPC, had been issued to the petitioner in the capacity of a witness. In case he was also sought to be interrogated in the case, some prior notice be issued to the petitioner to allow him to avail his legal remedies in such an eventuality. — TNS