Pak’s next CJ hears holy writ in UP

LUCKNOW: Pakistan’s Chief Justice-designate Rana Bhagwandas, who will be sworn in within a few days, ended a fortnight-long spiritual sojourn to Lucknow on Monday.

Sources said Bhagwandas left yesterday for Delhi en route Pakistan after the secret pilgrimage, during which he assiduously avoided the media. Bhagwandas is expected to assume office next Wednesday.

“He does not want to speak to the media. He is here for peace of mind and spiritual relief, please do not trouble him,” a member of the family that hosted Bhagwandas told DNA.

He said the judge had come to Lucknow for the sermons of Neelu Bhagwan, a 50-year-old woman preacher whose ashram attracts devotees, mostly Sindhis, from all over the world. Bhagwandas is a Sindhi.

“Bhagwandas had come to Lucknow for Gita gyan,” a close family friend said. Neelu Bhagwan is reportedly an authority on the interpretation of the Bhagwad Gita.

While in Lucknow, Bhagwandas remained virtually in hiding. So much so the district magistrate, district police chief, protocol office, and local intelligence unit were unaware of his visit. “We have no official information of his visit or programme,” Lucknow DM Ramendra Tripathi said.

Bhagwandas apparently changed his lodgings every day. A family source said he lived simply and was not ringed by security personnel. “He would prefer to walk home after hearing the pravachan,” the source said.