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Missing ‘saroops’: SGPC reinstates 3 staffers on court order
In its judgement issued on March 22, the HC had said the SGPC did not follow rules while dismissing then assistant secretary Gurbachan Singh, clerk Baaz Singh and helper Dalbir Singh.
Following the order of the Punjab and Haryana high court, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday reinstated its three employees who were dismissed two years ago for their alleged role in the case of 328 missing “saroops”of Guru Granth Sahib, albeit with a rider – they will be considered suspended from the day of their termination.
In its judgement issued on March 22, the HC had said the SGPC did not follow rules while dismissing then assistant secretary Gurbachan Singh, clerk Baaz Singh and helper Dalbir Singh. The trio, who was among six employees terminated after being indicted in a probe report conducted on Akal Takht’s order, filed a petition in the HC challenging the decision taken during the tenure of then gurdwara body president Gobind Singh Longowal.
On March 22, Justice Harsimran Singh Sethi set aside their termination.
On April 1 and 2, the trio appeared at the headquarters of the SGPC on the premises of Golden Temple to resume duty in light of the court’s verdict, but were not allowed to do so. The SGPC officials cited that they were taking advice from the panel of lawyers in this regard.
They again turned up at the SGPC office on Monday to rejoin work, but were given a copy of the office order issued on April 2, which states that the trio is reinstated on the day of termination (27/08/2020) and then suspended. “They will be considered suspended from the same day in view of the serious allegations against them and their tendency to influence the investigation. They will be given separate chargesheets,”said Malkeet Singh, superintendent of the SGPC office, confirming the order.
After receiving the letter, the trio is again going to knock on the doors of high court to challenge the fresh order.
“We have discussed the fresh order with our lawyer. The SGPC has openly violated the verdict of the high court as well as the service rules, but issued such an order which will not be accepted by the court,”said Gurbachan Singh.
According to the inquiry report, 328 “saroops” were found missing in the record of the SGPC publication house. The misappropriation continued for several years up to 2015, as per the inquiry report. The matter came to light on June 26, 2020, after the Punjab human rights organisation (PHRO) wrote a letter in this regard to the Punjab government and Akal Takht.
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The trio -- Gurbachan Singh, Baaz Singh and Dalbir Singh -- who was among six employees terminated after being indicted in a probe report conducted on Akal Takht’s order, filed a petition in the HC challenging the decision taken during the tenure of then gurdwara body president Gobind Singh Longowal.
On March 22, Justice Harsimran Singh Sethi set aside their termination.
