Panels formed to probe sexual abuse in DSGMC

Syed Ali Ahmed

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 20

Two committees have been constituted to investigate the sexual harassment allegations levelled against general manager (GM) of Gurdwara Committee administration Harjeet Singh. First committee was constituted by general secretary of the DSGMC Manjinder Singh Sirsa while second was constituted by DSGMC president Manjit Singh (GK).

The DSGMC has already suspended the general manager following a woman levelled allegations against him for sexual harassment. Two others, Balbir Singh, and Sukhwinder Singh, deputy general managers (DGMs) were also suspended.

Sirsa following the suspension of the GM and DGMs constituted a committee under the chairman of the Education Committee and senior vice president, Harmit Kalka, to investigate the allegations. When Kalka had refused to head the committee, Sirsa appointed Nishan Singh Maan as chairman of the committee.

Explaining powers and responsibilities delegated to the DSGMC office-bearers by the DSGMC Act, Sirsa said he had power to take action against the officials of the committee administration. Cancelling his suspension order of GM and the DGMs is unconstitutional and invalid. “I issued the said order in the capacity of general secretary, as it is an independent disciplinary authority which cannot be challenged as per the DSGMC Act 1971.”

However, in a letter addressed to Justice (Rtd) RS Sodhi, Manjit Singh said the incident had taken place when he was abroad for a week. Assuring that he will be provided all the help by DSGMC member Kulmohan Singh, Manjit requested to Justice Sodhi to submit the inquiry report by April 30. All the expenses incurred during the inquiry will be reimbursed by the DSGMC, he said.