Bahrain woman case: SGPC probe finds alleged tampering with gurdwara sarai records
PTC Web Desk: A preliminary inquiry by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has allegedly found irregularities in the records of gurdwara sarais in connection with the case involving a woman from Bahrain.
According to SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, some entries in the accommodation registers appear to have been added or altered to create the impression that the woman had stayed at the gurdwara sarais on several occasions.
Advocate Dhami said departmental action was being initiated against employees allegedly linked to the irregularities. The manager and other officials associated with the sarais at Sri Anandpur Sahib are among those facing scrutiny.
SGPC shows sarai registers
Addressing the media, Advocate Dhami said the SGPC had received the preliminary findings of its internal inquiry, while the final report was expected in the coming days.
He also displayed copies of sarai registers, saying they contained entries related to the woman's stays and payments made for accommodation.
According to the records presented by the SGPC, around seven entries were made in her name in the registers of sarais at Sri Anandpur Sahib. Eight entries were cited in connection with accommodation at the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, while another entry was linked to Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali.
Advocate Dhami also pointed to what he described as additional entries that appeared to have been inserted after the dates originally recorded in the registers. He alleged that some serial numbers had also been changed.
Employees under departmental probe
The SGPC president said handwriting samples of an employee suspected of making some of the additional entries had been sent for examination. He identified Amrik Singh, who is associated with the sarai administration at Sri Anandpur Sahib, as one of the employees under investigation. Advocate Dhami said the preliminary inquiry had also indicated the possible involvement of other employees and senior officials.
According to him, departmental proceedings against the personnel concerned were expected to be initiated.
SGPC says woman received Rs 1 lakh assistance
Advocate Dhami said the woman had earlier approached the SGPC seeking financial assistance on medical grounds. Her request was considered by the SGPC's internal committee, following which financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh was sanctioned, he said. Medical documents submitted along with the request reportedly mentioned a mental health-related condition.
Advocate Dhami, however, said the SGPC had found no record showing that the woman had been provided a vehicle, driver or any special VIP treatment by the organisation.
Advocate Dhami seeks CBI investigation
Advocate Dhami once again demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the wider matter. He criticised the police investigation constituted by the state government, alleging that the case was being turned into a "social media trial". He claimed that the SGPC, as a Sikh religious institution, was being deliberately targeted and that the controversy could damage its reputation.
Advocate Dhami also alleged that political interests were behind the controversy. He maintained that if any allegation against him was established, he would resign from his post, but urged that unsubstantiated claims should not be levelled against him.
He further said he had no prior knowledge of the developments surrounding the woman.
Advocate Dhami said the SGPC's internal committee had been constituted specifically to examine departmental and administrative issues.
He clarified that the committee was not investigating why the woman came to the area, who brought her there or the purpose of her visit.
The SGPC president said those questions fell outside the scope of the internal departmental inquiry.
Earlier action in the case
The SGPC has already taken action against several individuals in connection with the controversy.
Giani Malkit Singh, additional head granthi of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, was relieved of his services. Earlier, he and a driver associated with Sri Anandpur Sahib had been suspended.
The SGPC has also accepted the resignation of its member Amarjit Singh Chawla.
The developments followed a police complaint filed by the woman from Bahrain. Chawla was named in the complaint in connection with the case.
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- PTC NEWS
