Takht Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Mal Singh passes away

Tribune News Service

Anandpur Sahib, August 16

Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib Giani Mal Singh, who passed away at Sri Guru Harkrishan Charitable Super Speciality Hospital at Sohana in Mohali district yesterday, was cremated here today. His son Giani Amarjit Singh, a granthi at Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, lit the pyre.

Head Granthi of Takht Kesgarh Sahib Phoola Singh has been appointed as acting Jathedar of the Takht.

Giani Mal Singh was not keeping well since last year and had undergone brain surgery. On July 21, he was admitted to the Sohana hospital where he breathed his last at around 2 pm yesterday.

His mortal remains were brought to Dashmesh Diwan Hall of the Takht here where religious and political personalities paid tributes to the departed soul. Among those present were Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, Harmandir Sahib Head Granthi Jagtar Singh, Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar and local MP Prem Singh Chandumajra.

Giani Mal Singh was born in April 1955 and belonged to Tajoke village in Sangrur district. He took over as Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib on August 22, 2013. He had survived an attempt on his life following a controversy over exoneration of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. A granthi, Joga Singh, had attacked him with a sharp weapon on October 6, 2015, injuring him in the thigh.