AMRITSAR: In a major development, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has suspended its Secretary, Partap Singh, over his alleged involvement in the illegal sale of land belonging to Gurdwara Sri Amb Sahib.
SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami issued the suspension orders following mounting allegations that prime gurdwara land, reportedly valued at over Rs 20 crore, was sold at a throwaway price to private individuals without proper authorization. Gurvinder Singh Marthewal has been appointed as the new Secretary of the apex Sikh body in place of Partap Singh.
The controversy erupted after former Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh publicly raised the issue, alleging that the land deal was executed in a clandestine manner and caused significant financial loss to the SGPC. He further alleged that senior leadership, including Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal and even the SGPC president, were complicit in the transaction.
While SGPC President Dhami has denied any wrongdoing at his level, he maintained that the fraudulent land deal was carried out without the mandatory approval of the SGPC executive committee. “No individual has the authority to dispose of gurdwara property without due process and formal sanction, ” Dhami reportedly said, asserting that strict action would be taken against anyone found guilty.
Earlier, the SGPC had suspended Rajinder Singh, the manager of Gurdwara Amb Sahib, after preliminary findings indicated procedural violations in the transaction. However, the controversy deepened when a letter allegedly authorising the sale, bearing the signature of Secretary Partap Singh, surfaced on social media platforms. The authenticity of the letter and the circumstances under which it was issued are now under scrutiny.
Sources within the SGPC said an internal inquiry has been initiated to ascertain the extent of the alleged irregularities and to identify all officials involved. There is also growing demand from Sikh organisations and community members for a transparent probe, with some calling for the matter to be handed over to an independent agency.
The land in question, located in a prime area of Mohali, is considered highly valuable, and the alleged sale at a significantly reduced price has raised concerns about financial mismanagement and accountability within the SGPC.
The suspension of the Secretary marks one of the most serious administrative actions taken by the SGPC in recent years and has further intensified the political storm surrounding the management of gurdwara properties in Punjab.