Akal Takht bars CKD ex-chief Chadha from taking part in religious events for 2 yrs

Amritsar, January 23

The Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, on Tuesday prohibited former president of charitable-cum-educational body Chief Khalsa Dewan Charanjit Singh Chadha from taking part in any religious, political, educational functions for the next two years.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Chadha, who was earlier removed by the Chief Khalsa Dewan trust members after his purported objectionable video with a female principal went viral on social media, appeared before the five Sikh head priests headed by Jatehdar Akal Takht here.

After a marathon meeting of the Sikh clergy, Akal Takht Jatehdar Giani Gurbachan Singh, in an edict, prohibited Chadha from taking part in any religious, political, educational functions or such activity for a period of two years.

The Akal Takht Jathedar told media that as Chadha has tendered his resignation before the Akal Takht, the same will be sent to the honorary secretary Chief Khalsa Dewan for acceptance, besides cancellation of his membership from all positions with immediate effect and report of compliance to be submitted to the Akal Takht.

The Jatehdar said the Akal Takht has prohibited Chadha from taking part in religious, social, educational and political activities, for two years and afterwards he would again appear before the Sikh clergy for religious atonement.  

The Akal Takht after watching his past two years’ conduct would take further decision as per the Sikh tenets.

Chadha was booked by police last year under Sections 354 A, 506, 509 of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 67, 67A Information Technology Act, when the female principal shown in the purported video, came out with a police complaint, saying that she was with Chadha who had allegedly forced her for "immoral act with him otherwise she would be removed from the job".

The prinicipal, in her complaint, had asked for police protection, saying that Chadha was such "influential person in the society and could do anything wrong to her". 

During that period, Chadha had lost his son Inderpreet Singh who committed suicide with his own licenced weapon, since his name was also dragged by the principal for allegedly issuing threats to withdraw complaint against his father.

Inderpreet, who was vice-president of the Chief Khalsa Dewan, was also removed from the trust along with his father. — PTI