AMRITSAR: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has forcibly retired Giani Raghbir Singh from the post of Head Granthi of Sri Darbar Sahib, escalating a bitter confrontation between the Sikh cleric and the apex gurdwara management body over allegations of corruption.
The decision was announced by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami following a meeting of the SGPC executive committee. Dhami had earlier issued a 72-hour ultimatum to Giani Raghbir Singh to furnish evidence supporting his allegations of large-scale corruption within the SGPC.
In response, Giani Raghbir Singh had challenged the SGPC leadership, asking it to act on his charges within the same timeframe. He asserted that he possessed documentary proof and would present it before the Sikh sangat publicly.
The controversy has also taken a political turn, with Giani Raghbir Singh alleging that the Badal family, which he claimed exercises control over the SGPC, was unhappy with his stance and wanted him removed. He pointed to past decisions taken during his tenure as Jathedar of Akal Takht that had reportedly irked the leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal.
Notably, he had summoned SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and other party and SGPC leaders to the Akal Takht, where they were asked to admit their mistakes. During the proceedings, Sukhbir Badal had acknowledged certain actions, including granting pardon to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the head of Dera Sacha Sauda—a move that had triggered widespread controversy within the Sikh community.
Giani Raghbir Singh was subsequently removed from the post of Jathedar of the Akal Takht, though he continued to serve as the Head Granthi of Sri Darbar Sahib until the latest decision.
Reacting to his removal, Giani Raghbir Singh said the move was “expected” and that he was aware such action would be taken against him. He reiterated his allegations of corruption within the SGPC, citing specific instances such as the alleged sale of prime land belonging to Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali without approval of the executive committee, and the purported fraudulent sale of land of Gurdwara Batha Sahib.
He claimed to have evidence of several more cases of financial irregularities and said he would place all documents before the Sikh sangat in the coming days.