CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, Jan 12: The deadlock between the Akal Takht and the state government over the 328 missing ‘saroops’ case has ended, with the highest Sikh temporal seat ordering the SGPC to assist the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The move marks a U-turn from earlier instructions where the Sikh clergy had barred the committee from participating in the police-led probe.
Under the new directive, the SGPC will share details related to the FIR on the condition that the investigation remains focused on the administrative and financial corruption highlighted in the Ishar Singh Commission report. To maintain the dignity of the institution, the Jathedar stipulated that any examination of records must take place at the SGPC’s sub-office in Chandigarh rather than at the headquarters in Amritsar.
“The commission’s report clearly states that these sacred saroops were given to the sangat through collusion… the prescribed offerings were neither deposited into trust funds nor were bills issued,” Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said. He described the incident as a clear-cut case of financial misappropriation by certain employees who have already been dismissed from service.
The Jathedar also issued a stern warning to political entities against exploiting the sensitive religious matter for electoral gains. He noted that strict action would be taken against any individual or organization that violates the Akal Takht’s order to keep the issue free from political maneuvering, emphasizing that the focus must remain on the accountability of those held guilty by the commission.
