SC seeks detailed report in Hindu community land encroachment case

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday heard the case regarding encroachment on land owned by the Hindu community in Sindh and sought thorough report into the case in 15 days, ARY News reported.

Chairing the case proceedings, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar sought a report approved by a committee that was formed earlier to probe the matter.

MNA Ramesh Kumar appeared before the court and said the committee had highlighted areas with encroached land. He told the court that 45 applications were received from Larkana alone regarding land encroachment.

Responding to his statement, the CJP said he was extending scope of the committee so it could entertain all applications regarding the matter.

He, however, added that the apex court had particularly taken notice of Dr Bhagwan Devi, a retired professor, who in a video claimed that the Hindu community in Sindh was the victim of the worst lawlessness and mismanagement.

The video of Dr Bhagwan came to light in October in which she said that the land mafia was taking over properties owned by Hindus in Sindh, especially Larkana, on the basis of “false power of attorney”. Devi added that affected members of the community were also being threatened into silence.

“Many Hindus of Larkana have sold their properties and are ready to leave [the country],” she regretted, adding that many have already left.