SGPC retires Golden Temple head granthi days after he flagged ‘graft’

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Thursday relieved Golden Temple head granthi Giani Raghbir Singh of his charge, days after he accused the apex gurdwara body and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) of indulging in corrupt practices.

The decision to retire Giani Raghbir, a former Akal Takht Jathedar, was taken at a special meeting of the SGPC executive committee held at its headquarters in Amritsar.

SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said the meeting was convened after Giani Raghbir failed to submit written evidence to substantiate the corruption allegations he levelled while addressing mediapersons in Jalandhar on February 18.

Giani Raghbir had alleged that funds from the unauthorised sale of gurdwara land and from sale of dried ‘langar’ were being embezzled. On February 19, the SGPC had served him a notice asking him to substantiate his charges within 72 hours. On February 22, Giani Raghbir served a counter-ultimatum on the SGPC, seeking a reply to his corruption allegations against the panel.

Dhami said action was taken as the SGPC did not receive any satisfactory response or evidence from Giani Raghbir even after the stipulated period had lapsed. “Giani Raghbir Singh not only violated SGPC service regulations, but also undermined the dignity and sanctity of the highly respected office of the head granthi of Sri Harmandar Sahib. It was also noted that he had been performing his morning and evening religious duties at the Golden Temple only minimally, which did not do justice to the responsibility and honour of the post,” said Dhami.

The SGPC president claimed a “false narrative” was being spread by certain quarters regarding the sale of gurdwara properties “to create confusion among the Sikh sangat”. “The reality is quite the opposite,” he said.

Not surprised: Giani Raghbir Singh

Responding to the development, Giani Raghbir said he was “not surprised as the decision was on expected lines”. “The face-off started after the verdict I delivered against SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal on December 22, 2024. Despite immense pressure, I stood my ground,” he said.

The five high priests at the time, headed by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, had pronounced ‘tankhah’ (religious punishment) on Sukhbir Badal, former Akali ministers and members of the party’s core committee, holding them guilty of “religious misconduct for taking controversial decisions” during the SAD government’s tenure from 2007 to 2017.

Sukhbir and other Akali leaders were made wear plaques around their necks with a message of admitting their guilt.