CHANDIGARH, Punjab—Punjab and Haryana High Court has adopted stricter attitude in regards to cremation of Noormehal cultist Ashutosh Jha. The High Court Bench of Justice Mahesh Grover and Justice Shekher Dhawan today, August 2, issued orders of cremation of Ashutosh and asked the Punjab government to file a status report by September 16. The Court has directed all the pro and anti cremation factions to sort out the dissent peacefully.
The disciples of Ashutosh have kept his body in a freezer since January 29, 2014. Despite being announced dead clinically, Ashutosh’s disciples have been claiming that Ashutosh’s soul has moved to ‘paradise’ and he will be back soon. They allege he is currently in the state of ‘samadhi’, a state of intense concentration achieved through meditation.
The decision by the High Court Bench to seek final report by September 16 has put the Punjab Government in a tight spot. Government officials had sought continued adjournments to the hearings, however, this led to sharp criticism by the court.
The court is currently hearing a plea by Ashutosh’s son Dalip Jha who has alleged that his father has been murdered by Noormehal cult representatives. Dalip is seeking for the matter to be investigated at a high level. He had filed a court case earlier in 2014, however, so far, the Court has not been able to force the Punjab Government to perform final rites of Dalip’s father.