Supreme Court. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
ISLAMABAD: The apex court has summoned DPO Karak, deputy commissioner Karak and home secretary Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) for not implementing the court’s earlier directions to reconstruct a Hindu temple in the district.
A shrine had been constructed at a place where Shri Paramhans Ji Maharaj died and was buried in 1919, at Teri village. His followers used to visit the place to pay their respects till 1997 when the temple was dismantled.
Hindu elders from Sindh had to intervene in the matter, negotiate for the land and pay Rs375,000 to a mufti in 1997. Despite receiving the money the land was not vacated.
On April 16, 2015, the apex court directed the K-P government to ensure that the temple is restored and to submit a report in two weeks. Subsequently, Deputy Commissioner Karak submitted a report, wherein it was stated that the temple has been reconstructed but they have put certain conditions on the Hindu community living there.
According to the report, first, the Hindu community will not indulge in preaching of their religion. Second, they will only be allowed to offer their religious prayers. Third, they will not be allowed to arrange any huge religious gathering in Samadhi. Four, Hindus will not be allowed to construct any large scale prayer place on the site. Five, they will not be allowed to purchase any further land in the area and will be restricted to the premises of Samadi.
Patron of Pakistan Hindu Council Dr Kumar, however, told the bench that the temple has not yet been rebuilt and local Muslim cleric Iftikhar-ud-Din is still in occupation of the site.
The bench has summoned K-P administration on August 25.