Akal Takht directs SGPC to cooperate with SIT in probe into missing Guru Granth Sahib ‘saroops’
SGPC asked to cooperate with the SIT only in matters related to the misuse of ‘saroops’ and not beyond that scope
In connection with the investigation into the alleged misuse and disappearance of ‘saroops’ (holy volumes) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Akal Takht’s officiating Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, has directed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to cooperate with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the state government after the registration of an FIR in the matter.
The clarification comes amid reports suggesting that Akal Takht had instructed the SGPC not to cooperate with the government agencies. The Jathedar categorically rejected these claims, stating that while government interference in the SGPC’s jurisdiction is unacceptable, limited cooperation has been permitted in the larger Panthic interest and to counter political confusion being created around the issue.
He said the SGPC has been instructed to cooperate with the SIT only in matters related to the misuse of ‘saroops’ and not beyond that scope. SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has been authorised to extend cooperation strictly in connection with the case of 328 holy ‘saroops’.
The issue had recently triggered protests by the Mann faction, which staged a demonstration near the SGPC office, alleging that the committee was not cooperating with the police to identify the accused.
The Jathedar further clarified that if the government requires any information from the SGPC for investigation purposes, the verification will be conducted at the SGPC’s Chandigarh sub-office, and only in the presence of SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami.
He also recalled that Akal Takht had earlier constituted an inquiry commission headed by Telangana-based advocate Ishar Singh to probe the case of the missing 328 ‘saroops’. According to the commission’s report, the holy volumes were distributed to the sangat through collusion between certain employees and officials, while the prescribed offerings were neither deposited into trust funds nor were bills issued.
The Ishar Singh Commission report, which has been approved by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, names 16 individuals, all of whom have also been declared guilty by the Takht. Acting on Akal Takht’s directions, the SGPC has already initiated departmental action against those named.