SC dismisses plea seeking transfer of 2015 Bathinda Guru Granth Sahib sacrilege case trial outside Punjab

On Wednesday, the Apex Court dismissed a petition to transfer the 2015 Bathinda Guru Granth Sahib sacrilege case trial outside Punjab.

A bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul declined to transfer the trial out of Punjab, however, it asked the Trial Court to ensure a free & fair trial.

Six accused of Dera Sacha Sauda members had moved the Supreme Court seeking transfer of trial, alleging the atmosphere isn't conducive in Punjab for their trial.

They were arrested for the Oct 2015 sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib at Gurusar village in Bathinda.

The accused had allegedly torn Guru Granth Sahib & threw papers on the ground.

An FIR related to the incident was registered under sections 295A (deliberate & malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) & 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, registered at Dayalpura police station in Bathinda.

The Dera members had moved the apex court to transfer the case trial to another state claiming that they would not get a fair trial in Punjab, & they were facing threats to their life in the state.

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