AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—In a case pertaining to a property purchase scam concerning a villa in Sri Anandpur Sahib, the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission has summoned six former members of the SGPC’s executive committee (from 2011-2016), along with suspending four SGPC officials. The summoned former SGPC executive members have been asked to appear before the Judicial Commission on August 19.
On August 5, Bhai Baldev Singh Sirsa announced that the manager of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Sukhwinder Singh Grewal, and Deputy Manager Harjinder Singh Patti, had purchased a villa of 13 Marlas (25 square meters) for 7 million rupees. He added that a year after purchasing the villa, they re-purchased this villa under the name of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib for 27 million rupees, using SGPC funds, with the consent of higher SGPC executives.
Sirsa further shared that he had moved a petition before the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission on August 4 and the commission conducted a hearing on August 5, summoning the former SGPC executive members Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, Raghujit Singh Virk, Kewal Badal, Karnail Singh Panjoli, Rajinder Singh Mehta and Nirmal Singh Johlan. Grewal and Patti have also been placed on immediate suspension, aong with two others.
The Sikh Judicial Commission has also directed the SGPC President Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar to constitute a higher powered investigation committee and probe the entire scam within two months. The Judicial Commission has also directed Prof. Badungar to lead the Investigation commission and submit a final report to the commission in a personally sealed envelope. The Judicial Commission has also warned Prof. Badungar that if the SGPC fails in submitting final report within specified time then the Commission would direct the SSP of Ropar to take action against the accused.
