SSSS management panel demands probe into ‘fraudulent property sale’

AMRITSAR: After two warring factions of the SSSS management committee couldn’t resolve the issue related to the governance of the management-run institutions, the newly formed faction of Sant Singh Sukha Singh (SSSS) Management Committee headed by Gunbir Singh, demanded a high level probe into the “illegal and fraudulent” sale of land (bequeathed to Sri Guru Gobind Singh) to private parties.

Members of a newly formed SSSS panel during a meeting in Amritsar on Wednesday. tribune photo: Vishal Kumar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 18

After two warring factions of the SSSS management committee couldn’t resolve the issue related to the governance of the management-run institutions, the newly formed faction of Sant Singh Sukha Singh (SSSS) Management Committee headed by Gunbir Singh, demanded a high level probe into the “illegal and fraudulent” sale of land (bequeathed to Sri Guru Gobind Singh) to private parties.

They said the revenue records collected so far point out to sales on meagre amount of money to “favoured” parties, which further re-sold the properties within a few days in a “questionable manner”.

At a meeting today, held under the presidentship of Swinder Singh Kathunangal, the committee reiterated its claim to protect the land, bequeathed in the name of the Tenth Sikh Guru as per Tamliknama by philanthropist Bhai Sant Singh in 1893. The committee members, who took part in the meeting, included secretary Gunbir Singh, CKD chief Nirmal Singh, Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, Bhagwant Pal Singh Sachar, Surinder Singh Rumalewale and Avtar Singh.

The committee said they had asked the present management of the school to explain why the properties were disposed of “illegally” but instead of giving suitable replies, they locked the gates of the esteemed institution.

“Initial investigation proves that two land registrations were executed on December 19, 2017 in the name of one Hardev Kaur, wife of Kuljit Singh (Singh Brothers). The total land (940 square yard) was sold to the above party for about Rs 2 crore,” said Kathunangal.

Gunbir Singh said the aforesaid land was further re-sold within six days to private parties. “As per the provisions of the Tamliknama, the land cannot be sold as it was in the name of Guru Sahib and the properties were to be used for the purpose of educational pursuits. This is just a tip of the iceberg. There are many such developments,” he said.

He said they had demanded a high level probe. They would meet the Deputy Commissioner and the SDM concerned for cancellation of land registries. The committee had recently held a meeting outside the SSSS School campus when they were not allowed to enter the premises. “We have no other interest. We want to safeguard the properties,” said Gunbir Singh.