Amritsar: The acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, has directed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to cooperate with the Punjab government’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the probe into alleged misuse of ‘saroops’ (sacred volumes) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, following the registration of an FIR in the matter.
The clarification comes amid reports suggesting that the Akal Takht had earlier instructed the SGPC not to cooperate with the government. The Jathedar categorically stated that no interference by the government would be allowed within the jurisdiction of the SGPC. However, keeping in view larger Panthic interests and the confusion being created for political reasons, the SGPC has been asked to extend cooperation to the SIT strictly in matters related to the alleged misuse of saroops.
He said the SGPC president, Harjinder Singh Dhami, has been authorised to cooperate with the government only with regard to the issue of 328 sacred saroops. No other matter falls within the scope of this cooperation.
Notably, a few days ago, members of the Mann faction staged a protest near the SGPC office, opposing the committee’s earlier decision not to cooperate with the police in the case related to the 328 missing saroops. The protesters alleged that the SGPC was shielding the accused and demanded action against its officials. During the protest, police stopped the demonstrators from reaching the SGPC office.
The Jathedar clarified that if the government requires any information from the SGPC for investigation purposes, the verification will be carried out at the SGPC’s Chandigarh sub-office, in the presence of the SGPC president.
He further revealed that the Akal Takht had earlier constituted an inquiry commission under the leadership of Telangana-based lawyer Ishar Singh to investigate the disappearance of the 328 sacred saroops from official records.
Quoting the commission’s findings, the Jathedar said the report clearly stated that the sacred saroops were distributed to devotees through collusion between concerned employees and officials. The prescribed offerings were neither deposited into trust funds nor were receipts issued.
“This case pertains to financial misappropriation involving a few corrupt employees,” the Jathedar said, adding that accountability must be fixed while safeguarding the autonomy of Sikh religious institutions.
