A sub-divisional court at Dehri-on-Sone in Rohtas district, around 165km west of Patna, has issued summons against Shirdi Sai Baba on charges of encroaching on government land, fanning tension and creating law and order problems.

The court of Dehri sub-divisional officer, Pankaj Patel, has fixed February 16 the date of appearance of the accused, Sai Baba, failing which, according to the summons, it would be forced to take action against him for violating the order.

Sai Baba of Shirdi, Maharashtra, died in 1918. His devotees worship him by in temples made in his name.

The notice, issued on February 5, reached the Sai temple at Annie Kat in the sub-divisional town on Tuesday. The notice, a copy of which is with The Telegraph, said the temple was irrigation department land and directed the spiritual guru to inform the court within 10 days after removing the encroachment.

Sai Baba has been advised either to appear before the sub-divisional court in person or represent himself through a legal counsel.

Vinod Singh (55) who has built a makeshift house beside the temple, received the notice. "I am illiterate and don't know about its consequences," he said. "A lawyer handed it to me. " Vinod's son, Raj Kumar, too has been served notice for illegal construction.

The SDO could not be contacted. An officer at his office said: "The notice has been served to all illegal encroachers."

Early this month, a circle officer in Begusarai had served notice on Lord Hanuman for a temple encroaching upon government land.