Akal Takht sentences Sukhbir Singh Badal in Dera Sacha Sauda pardon case

Amritsar: The Akal Takht Sahib on Monday handed down a symbolic punishment to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal in connection with the controversial pardon granted to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

Jathedar Raghbir Singh announced that Sukhbir Singh Badal will serve his sentence outside the clock tower of Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar. Due to a leg injury, he will perform his duty seated in a wheelchair, with a placard around his neck and a spear in hand.

The sentence will last for two days at the Golden Temple, followed by two days each at Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Sri Damdama Sahib, Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Sri Fatehgarh Sahib.

As part of his punishment, Sukhbir Singh Badal is required to visit the langar ghar for one hour daily after his duty to clean utensils. Additionally, he must spend an hour listening to kirtan and recite the Sri Sukhmani Sahib.

In a related decision, the Akal Takht declared that the Fakr-e-Qom award previously bestowed upon former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal will be withdrawn. Jathedar Raghbir Singh also directed all leaders who were cabinet members in 2015 to clean the bathrooms of the Golden Temple on December 3, between 12 noon and 1 pm.

Following this, they will bathe, serve in the langar ghar, and recite the Sri Sukhmani Sahib. They will also wear placards during their service.

Sukhbir Singh Badal, however, has been exempted from the bathroom cleaning punishment due to his leg injury.