ROPAR, Punjab—An Akali Dal (Badal) leader has reportedly sold land belonging to Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib by forging documents related to it. Taking action against the act, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has filed a complaint with the Ropar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Varinder Paul Singh, in this regard. This came to the notice of SGPC when construction on the land began last week.

Sources said, the Akali leader has sold three kanals fraudulently for ₹3o million, however the actual cost of the land is more than ₹50 million. The land has been sold to a prominent dera in Haryana. The possible involvement of revenue officers posted at Anandpur Sahib is being examined.

According to sources during the early 1980’s, former SGPC president Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra, had handed nine kanals near Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib to Baba Harnam Singh Delhiwale for kar sewa (doing voluntary service). The latter handed over the land to Baba Balkar Singh for the purpose of an academy meant to benefit the wards of 1984 genocide victims.

In its complaint, the SGPC pointed out that it has now learned that a portion of the land had been sold by a resident of Bhaini village in Nurpur Bedi. SGPC president Avtar Makkar said, “The land is owned by the SGPC. Hence, the sale is illegal. We have started legal proceedings against the suspect.”