The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued notices to the Union government, the Ministry of Defence and the CBI in a petition seeking recovery of books and religious articles allegedly taken from the Golden Temple complex during Operation Blue Star.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Ramesh Kumari, passed the direction, while a hearing of a petition filed in public interest in 2019.

The petition concerns manuscripts, books and other religious items removed from the Sikh Reference Library during the 1984 operation. The petitioner has contended that while a portion of the material was subsequently returned by the government, several items remain unaccounted for and are believed to be with the Army, the CBI and other authorities.

The petitioner has sought directions for the preparation of a comprehensive inventory of all manuscripts, artefacts and literature allegedly removed on June 7, 1984, as well as a separate list of items returned to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). He has also urged that the recovered material be restored to the respective institutions and made accessible to the public for viewing, reading and research.

During the proceedings, it was pointed out that earlier a notice had been issued only to the SGPC in the matter. In its reply placed on record, the SGPC acknowledged that a number of religious articles and books were taken away during Operation Blue Star. It said some items were later returned, some were destroyed in the course of court proceedings, while others continue to remain in the possession of the Army, the CBI and the central government.

The SGPC also submitted that it had compiled a list of items received from the Army and maintained a register documenting the returned material.

Taking note of the submissions, the Bench observed that the involvement of central agencies necessitated their response in the matter. It accordingly directed issuance of notice to the Union of India, the Ministry of Defence and the CBI, along with other concerned authorities.

The court has asked the respondents to file their replies, making it clear that they must state whether the articles in question are in their possession.