The main petitions filed by respective parties seeking removal of Tohra and nine others from their posts and disqualification of 10 executive members have been adjourned to March 31 for the next hearing.

The miscellaneous application filed by 10 executive members sought to launch contempt proceedings against Tohra and SGPC secretary for non-compliance of the judicial commission orders to hold an executive meeting on February 10 last. Counsel for 10 executive members Mohinder Singh Romana has demanded the immediate suspension of Tohra and SGPC secretary along with three other respondents pending the main petition against them.

Surjit Singh Sood, counsel for Dhesi, has, in his application, demanded interim relief and sought to revoke the decisions taken by 10 executive committee members on February 10, regarding Bhai Ranjit Singh, who has been suspended as the Akal Takht Jathedar by the executive of the SGPC.

He argued that his client had filed an application for the disqualification of 10 members and the decisions taken by them are subject to judicial scrutiny.

Sood urged the court to adjourn the contempt case for at least 10 days since Tohra -- his client and respondent in the case -- were busy fighting ``the attack by the state government on the Sikh Panth''. He said his whereabouts were not known to him to serve a notice on him.

Manmohan Singh Brar, chairman of the judicial commission, however, rejected the argument saying that an early decision on the application was also necessary due to the crisis in the Sikh Panth.

Jugraj Singh Pannu, counsel for petitioners, had stated that the state government was not involved in this case and the defence counsel was trying to mislead the court.