Thieves runoff with gurdwara golak at Haryana’s Sirsa village

A man allegedly broke into Gurdwara Singh Sabha at Panjuana village around 1.45 am on Wednesday and stole the donation box after entering the sanctum wearing shoes. Members of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) Prakash Singh Sahuwala and Lakhwinder Singh Aulakh said the accused broke a window grill to enter the darbar hall and fled with the “golak” (donation box). The incident came to light around 4.15 am when sewadar Baba Himmat Singh arrived for Nitnem prayers and found the donation box missing and the side window damaged.

Villagers and members of the sangat gathered at the gurdwara after being informed. The police were alerted by dialing 112, but committee members alleged that no senior official reached the spot till 12.15 pm. They claimed there was anger among the sangat over the alleged delay in police response.

Later, the members of the sangat traced signs of an attempt to break open the donation box near the local water works, where some scattered cash and a gurdwara envelope were found. As the donation box had a double lock, it could not be opened, they said, adding that it was taken away by the accused.

The sangat has demanded a thorough investigation, saying that anyone who could enter the sanctum wearing shoes and steal the donation box could pose a bigger threat.

Meanwhile a police spokesperson said a case has been registered and the investigation is underway. He said CCTV footage is being checked to identify the accused, and he will be arrested soon.