Tribune News Service
Amritsar, September 5
Turning a 180 degree turn to the registration of a criminal case against those responsible for the misappropriation of records of 328 “saroops”, the SGPC executive, meeting today, decided to punish them according to the Sìkh Gurdwara Law and the pantonic tradition.
‘Will not allow outside interference’
No outside authority can be allowed to interfere in the affairs of the Shiromani Committee.
A partial report of the investigation has been uploaded to the SGPC website. Previously, the executive, in its meeting on August 27, favored the criminal process against these employees. SGPC Chairman Gobind Singh Longowal said that no external authority could be allowed to interfere in the Committee’s affairs.
He stated categorically: “The Holy Scriptures had not been desecrated and, to take advantage of the mistake made by a black sheep, the opposition launched a ‘smear campaign’ against the entire Shiromani committee.” Longowal claimed that the employees did not deposit the “Bheta” (monetary value) of these “saroops” and pocketed the amount.
The “saroops” were not on the Shiromani Committee records. He said that these were in the houses of the Sikh Sangat according to the Rehat Maryada.
All members of the executive and officers of the Shiromani Committee will present an apology in Akal Takht on September 18.
He said the executive also asked employees who made mistakes to appear before the highest temporary headquarters of Sikhs to apologize.
In a separate decision, the committee convened its budget session on September 28, which could not take place due to Covid-19 restrictions. Members also mourned the deaths of SGPC members Sajjan Singh, former member Chetan Singh Samao and former Chief Secretary Harcharan Singh.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Human Rights Organization stated that it was an attempt to hide the matter under the rug. Its members called on Giani Harpreet Singh, Jathedar, Akal Takht, to crack down on the culprits.
Meanwhile, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, cabinet minister, demanded the resignation of the SGPC president for breach of duty.
