The Shiromani Gurdwara Management Committee (SGPC) on Thursday suspended Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, a day after he alleged that some Shiromani Akali Dal leaders were trying to assassinate him to divert attention from the Akal Takht’s decisions on the reorganization of the SAD.
The SGPC has also constituted a three-member committee to probe the allegations Giani Harpreet Singh. These decisions were taken at a special meeting of the body’s executive committee at Gurdwara Degsar Sahib Katana in Ludhiana under the leadership of SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami. Two members of the working committee opposed the decision.
Gani Harpreet Singh has faced trolls on social media over Akal Takht’s December 2 decision. On Wednesday, he alleged that some SAD leaders were behind the “defamatory allegations” that appeared on social media.
“There was a lengthy discussion on the serious allegations made by Gurpreet Singh in his complaint against Jathedar Gyani Harpreet Singh of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib. After the opinion of the members present at the SGPC Executive meeting, it was accepted that to investigate the allegations against the Jathadar, keeping in mind the dignity and honor of the post, the SGPC Read the press note.
“Through a resolution passed in the meeting, a sub-committee was constituted for the probe, comprising SGPC senior vice-president Raghujit Singh Virk, general secretary Sher Singh Mandwala and executive member Daljit Singh Bhinder. This sub-committee will conduct a complete investigation and submit a report within 15 days,” said the statement.
The Executive Committee of the SGPC has also decided that the present Principal Granthi of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib will serve under the jurisdiction of the Takht till the inquiry report is decided.
Meanwhile, two members of the working committee, Jaswant Singh Puran and Paramjit Singh Raipur, have opposed the formation of the inquiry committee. ‘The committee is one-sided. To keep the committee neutral and reliable, there should be one member from the opposition party. But they selected all their close confidants for the committee,” said Jaswant Singh.
Jaswant Singh also alleged that a senior SAD(B) leader and former minister had met other members of the executive committee before Thursday’s meeting.
Senior vice president Raghujit Singh Virk, junior vice president Baldev Singh Kalyan, general secretary Sher Singh Mandwala, executive members Bibi Harjinder Kaur, Surjit Singh Tugalwal, Paramjit Singh Khalsa, Surjit Singh Gadhi, Daljit Singh and others were present in the meeting. Bhinder and Ravindra Singh Khalsa.
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