CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has come under a cloud following the exposure of a major land fraud involving Gurdwara Sri Amb Sahib, Mohali, where the Gurdwara manager allegedly sold sacred land worth crores by forging documents and diverting the proceeds to his personal account.
The controversy erupted after it came to light that 1 bigha, 6 biswas and 10 bisbiswas of Gurdwara land in village Saini Majra (Premgarh) was fraudulently sold to four buyers, with sale deeds registered on December 2, 2025, without any approval from the SGPC or its statutory committees.
SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, while announcing the suspension of Gurdwara Manager S. Rajinder Singh, ordered criminal proceedings and acknowledged that the incident has cast a serious shadow over the apex Sikh body’s functioning.
Forged Authority, Personal Enrichment
According to preliminary findings, the manager allegedly fabricated an official authorization letter on SGPC letterhead, granting himself powers to sell the land. Advocate Dhami said the accused has admitted in writing to preparing the forged document.
Investigators found that after executing the illegal sale, Rajinder Singh received four cheques totalling ₹1.32 crore, all of which were deposited into his personal bank account. Authorities are also probing allegations that additional unaccounted amounts running into crores were collected.
“There was no proposal, file or decision within the SGPC to sell this land, ” Dhami said, stressing that no officer or manager has independent authority to dispose of Guru Ghar property.
SGPC Faces Questions, Orders Damage Control
With the issue raising uncomfortable questions about internal controls and oversight, the SGPC leadership moved quickly to contain the fallout. A five-member inquiry committee has been constituted to conduct a detailed departmental probe, while the process to cancel the land registrations has been initiated.
The inquiry panel includes Bibi Harjinder Kaur, Chief Secretary Kulwant Singh Manan, S. Charanjit Singh Kalewal, S. Surjit Singh Bhittewad, and S. Paramjit Singh Lakhewal.
Dhami said any official or outsider found complicit will face strict departmental and legal action.
Push for FIR, Mutation Cancellation
In a further bid to assert accountability, an SGPC delegation met the Deputy Commissioner, Mohali, demanding cancellation of the land mutation and an immediate ban on any further transactions involving the disputed property.
The SGPC also approached the SSP, Mohali, seeking registration of an FIR against the suspended manager and others involved in the alleged fraud.
SGPC Chief Secretary Kulwant Singh Manan said the written complaint described the episode as a betrayal of the Guru Ghar’s trust, involving the sale of sacred property through forged documents for personal gain.
Warning to SGPC Officials
Explaining SGPC norms, Advocate Dhami said any sale or purchase of Gurdwara land requires multi-level scrutiny, including approval of the property sub-committee, revenue verification, interim committee clearance, and open bidding under a specially appointed committee.
He admitted that the incident has tarnished the institution’s image, even as he warned SGPC officials and employees against corruption.
“During my tenure, the effort has been to expand, not diminish, Guru Ghar assets. Anyone found misusing authority or indulging in corruption will not be spared, ” Dhami said.
Senior SGPC officials were present during the press conference as the organization sought to reassure the Sikh community amid growing concern over governance and accountability.