The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday directed the State of Punjab to initiate appropriate action on the complaints regarding morphing of images of Sikh Gurus on social networking sites.

The direction was issued by Justice Gurvinder Singh Gill on a petition filed by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) through Advocate Abhilaksh Grover, complaining against the “alteration of photographs of Sikh Gurus and Sikhs which is being posted on social networking sites, hurting the sentiments of Sikhs”.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Justice Gill further asserted, “In case the allegations levelled therein are found to be well founded then necessary steps warranted under law be taken thereupon at the earliest.”

The court then ordered, “Having heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, the petition is disposed of with a direction to Director General of Police, Punjab Police Headquarter, Sector 9, Chandigarh (respondent No.2) to get the matters enquired and to dispose of representations dated 18.11.2016 and 14.1.2017 (Annexure P-2), 4.3.2017 (Annexure P-3), 14.8.2017 (Annexure P-4), 26.1.2017, 6.4.2017, 28.3.2018 (Annexure P-5) and 12.9.2018 (Annexure P- 6) expeditiously.”

A copy of the order, along with copies of representations were therefore directed to be sent to Director General of Police, Punjab Police Headquarter, Chandigarh, “so as to enable him to do the needful expeditiously”.