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Synopsis

The bench of Justice Rekha Palli of the Delhi High Court on Thursday allowed 500 devotees to visit the residence of late Nirmal Singh Maharaj (Guruji) on his birth anniversary today i.e. July 7. Guruji passed away in May 2007.

The single-judge bench was hearing a plea filed by one Sudha Ahuja, who stated that for last 27 years devotees have been visiting her residence, where late Nirmal Singh Maharaj used to live. She moved the High Court as the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) was causing hinderance or obstruction in the visiting of the devotees.

During the hearing, the court was apprised that on July 3 Ahuja had proposed to elaborate measures including permitting limited identifies devotees in a rotational manner at her resident, however, the RWA rejected it.

The senior counsel appearing for the defendants contended that colony where the plaintiff resides is a gated colony and permitting this huge number of devotees to her residence is a security hazard for all other residents of the colony. It was also contended that the plea was not maintainable.

Taking note of the submissions, the court asked the RWA if, as an interim arrangement, Ahuja could be permitted to have 500 visitors at her residence in a staggered manner.

To this, the senior counsel replied that it would not have any objection if Ahuja is permitted to allow up to 500 guests/visitors to come to her residence on July 7 between 10 am and 9 pm in a staggered manner and subject to conditions mentioned in her communication dated July 3, 2023.

Furthermore, the senior counsel suggested that there should be a capping in the number of people present at her residence at any given point of time and that these guests should be subject to the production of photo identity which should be shown to the guard on duty at the gate of the society at the time of entry in the colony.

Accepting the suggestion of the senior counsel, Ahuja agreed to the conditions and said that she’ll share the list of 500 devotees with the police. She also assured that she will not allow more than 150 people to congregate at her residence at any given time.

“In the light of this stand taken by the parties, hearing is being deferred by directing that the parties will remain bound by the aforesaid interim arrangement. The parties further agree that till the next date, as proposed by the plaintiff, up to 100 guests on due production of their photo identity card, will be permitted to visit her residence on every Monday”, the court said.

Accordingly, the court listed the matter for further consideration on August 2, 2023.

Case Title: Sudha Ahuja v. Empire Estate Residents Welfare Society & Anr.