ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday took suo motu notice of alleged encroachment on properties of the Hindu community in Sindh and sought replies from the departments concerned.

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar took notice on a video by Prof Dr Bhagwan Devi (wife of Prof Dr Baghwan Das) that went viral on social media, alleging that their land and properties were being encroached by land mafia.

In the video, Dr Devi claimed that bogus power of attorneys was being prepared in upper Sindh, due to which the Hindu community felt insecure and threatened. Many Hindu families were leaving Pakistan and migrating to other countries, while several others are preparing to sell their properties and leave, she alleged.

Dr Devi regretted that the federal and provincial governments were reluctant to take action in this regard. Taking notice of the issue, the chief justice ordered hearing the case on Oct 18.

He issued notices to Attorney General Anwar Mansoor, the Sindh advocate general, religious affairs and interfaith harmony secretary, human rights secretary, Sindh chief secretary, Sindh minority affairs department secretary and Larkana division com­missioner to appear before the court.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2018