Giani Harpreet Singh unlikely to attend Sikh clergy meeting

Giani Harpreet Singh, the suspended Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, may not be part of the part of a meeting of the five Sikh high priests convened by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on January 28.

According to sources, he has not been invited for the meeting so far.

His services were temporarily suspended by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and an inquiry was pending against him in a domestic dispute case.

The matter may be discussed in the meeting that would majorly focus on addressing the issues stemming from the Shiromani Akali Dal’s reluctance to accept the Akal Takht-constituted seven-member committee to carry out its membership campaign.

The party began a month-long drive on January 20, citing its inability to abide by the directions of the temporal seat due to legal hurdles.

Nonetheless, Giani Harpreet Singh’s absence could create another conflict between the Akal Takht and the SGPC.

Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh had earlier expressed his displeasure with the SGPC, terming Giani Harpreet Singh’s suspension by the Sikh body as transgression of the temporal seat’s jurisdiction.

Giani Raghbir Singh had stated that only the Akal Takht had the authority to probe allegations against the Takht Jathedars, not the SGPC, and that the inquiry should have been handed over to the temporal seat.

A resident of Sri Muktsar Sahib, Gurpreet Singh, who claimed that he was married to Giani Harpreet Singh’s sister-in-law (now separated), had lodged a complaint with the SGPC president on December 16. alleging that the Jathedar interfered in his married life and allured his wife, leading to their separation.

He claimed that the Jathedar used his influence to harass him and entangled him in court cases.

In its executive meeting on December 20, the SGPC had formed a sub-committee to probe the allegations.

Till the outcome of the inquiry, the SGPC suspended the services of Giani Harpreet Singh as the Takht Damdama Sahib Jatheder.