AMRITSAR: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Friday appeared to make a dramatic U-turn over reported action against its secretary Partap Singh in connection with the alleged fraudulent sale of land belonging to Gurdwara Sri Amb Sahib in Mohali.
While initial reports in the morning claimed that Partap Singh had been suspended for his alleged role in authorising the sale of nearly 44 marla of land in village Saini Majra—valued at over Rs 20 crore—for a reported Rs 1.32 crore, the SGPC later denied both his suspension and transfer.
SGPC legal advisor and senior leader of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), A.S. Syali, during a television debate clarified that Partap Singh had neither been transferred nor suspended. He stated that only certain powers vested in the secretary under Section 85 of the SGPC Act had been temporarily delegated to the additional secretary, dismissing reports of disciplinary action as incorrect.
The controversy erupted after a letter purportedly signed by Partap Singh surfaced on social media, allegedly authorising the sale of the land. The land, situated in a prime area of Mohali, was reportedly sold to private individuals at a price significantly below market value.
Earlier in the day, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami had suspended Rajinder Singh, manager of Gurdwara Amb Sahib, who allegedly received the sale proceeds in his personal account. The action was seen as part of the SGPC’s attempt to address the growing controversy.
Former Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh had also raised serious objections over the alleged illegal sale of the gurdwara land, demanding a thorough probe into the transaction.
Adding another dimension to the controversy, Gurjit Singh Talwandi questioned the financial aspects of the deal. He claimed that the manager had received only the minimum collector rate for the land, while the actual market value in Mohali and surrounding areas ranges between Rs 10 crore and Rs 100 crore per acre. Talwandi asked that if Rs 1.32 crore was deposited in the manager’s account, where was the remaining cash component allegedly paid by realtors. He also raised questions over the role of SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal in the matter.
By evening, however, SGPC functionaries denied all direct allegations against Partap Singh, maintaining that no punitive action had been taken against him, even as the controversy over the land transaction continued to simmer.
Dr.Kashmir Singh a Sikh intelectual a formetr employee of SGPC said that the matter of illegal land sale was in the knowlesge of SGPC president but he kept the matter under carpet till the time Bhai Ranjit Singh had not held a press conferecne to expose the land deed.