SGPC executive body meeting today

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has scheduled its executive body meeting at its headquarters in Amritsar on Monday. The meeting would be chaired by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami.

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Besides the Sikh Panthic and administrative issues, the inquiry against “suspended” Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh can be on the agenda for the meeting.

The SGPC had passed Rs 1,260.97-crore budget for 2024-25, a hike of around 14 per cent in comparison to last year’s budget.

SGPC secretary Partap Singh said the inquiry report against Giani Harpreet Singh was still awaited. The deadline for the inquiry against Giani Harpreet Singh expired on February 4. “At present, I can say that it may reach us by late evening,” said Partap Singh.

Giani Harpreet Singh has been facing allegations in an 18-year-old domestic dispute. Following the complaint, a three-member inquiry panel was formed.

Sources said earlier Giani Hapreet Singh’s issue was to be discussed at the five high priests’ meeting scheduled for January 28, but it was deferred as Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh had to go abroad on a private tour.

Giani Raghbir Singh had already expressed displeasure with the SGPC stating that conducting inquiries against Jathedars was the domain of the Akal Takht only. Irrespective of that, the SGPC panel continued with its inquiry and its members approached individuals at Takht Damdama Sahib to get their feedback on the issue.

Muktsar resident Gurpreet Singh, who claimed that he was married to the Jathedar’s sister-in-law (now separated), lodged a complaint with the SGPC president against the Jathedar on December 16.

Following that, the SGPC, at its executive meeting on December 19, formed a panel, comprising SGPC senior vice-president Raghujit Singh Virk, SGPC general secretary Sher Singh Mandwala and executive member Daljit Singh Bhinder, to probe allegations against Giani Harpreet Singh. Thereafter, his services were suspended for a fortnight. Later, the duration was extended to one month.