Pelee-Banga, Rajasthan (KP) - The 73 year-old mahant who was responsible for desecrating eight Holy Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in February of 13th of 2012 was reportedly killed by Sikh youths at his dera in the town of Peelee-Banga, Rajasthan.
The sadh, known as Mahant Suraj Muni, was recently released on bail in connection to a pending case in connection to the February desecration, and had returned to his dera which he had controlled for much of past 30 years.
The three youths, identified as Naginder Singh of Shehnna, Gursevak Singh of Dhurkot, and Nirmal Singh of Kharllia, Rajasthan, reportedly attacked Suraj Muni at his residence, at kutyia number 16, around 11:00 am. The mahant had tried to escape from the scene but was quickly apprehended by the Singhs brandishing unsheathed swords.
After being repeatedly slashed with sharp weapons, the sadh immediately died on the spot. Afterwards, the three youths turned themselves in to the local authorities and confessed to bringing the dera head to justice due to his involvement in the desecration of the Holy Saroops earlier this year. The trio was subsequently arrested and booked for the mahant's murder - pending investigation.
The authorities have removed Suraj Muni’s body from the dera to a local hospital for a post-mortem and examination.
Background
In mid-February, Sikh community was shocked to discover that four Holy Saroops of Guru Granth Sahib Ji were disposed in a rivulet nearby the Suraj Muni Dera in Rajasthan.
Four other Saroops were also discovered in a water canal near the village of TejaKherra, Haryana. These Saroops were found in a sack containing documents and phone numbers of the Suraj Muni Dera. The Holy Saroops had been slashed and torn before being disposed of in the water canal.
Upon hearing of the incident in February, Sikh organizations, along Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh, had demanded strict action against the dera head Suraj Muni.
Related article: Desecration of Eight Guru Granth Sahib Ji Saroops in Rajasthan and Haryana
