Supreme Court to hear Dera plea on June 4

New Delhi, India - The Supreme Court today fixed June 4 to hear a petition filed by Dera Sacha Sauda seeking protection of their properties against an ultimatum given by the Akal Takht to vacate them and stop their activities.

A Bench comprising Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice D K Jain said there was no urgency in the matter for early hearing.

The Dera approached the apex court last Friday after the Akal Takht, the highest religious body of Sikhs, served an ultimatum to the Punjab government to close down all the Deras in the state by May 27.

Dera head Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, who was in conflict with Sikh clergy, last night tendered an apology for dressing like Sikh Guru Gobind Singh.

The Dera, in a statement last evening said it has already expressed regret for the chain of events and "now in the best interest of peace and tranquility the Dera tenders an apology to Guru Gobind Singh".