SGPC retires Giani Raghbir, says failed to provide proof on allegations

Amritsar: Days after former Akal Takht jathedar and current head granthi of the Golden Temple, Giani Raghbir Singh, levelled allegations of corruption in the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the SGPC executive committee (EC) on Thursday retired him from service.After a special meeting, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami told reporters that a 72-hour notice had been issued to Giani Raghbir Singh, asking him to submit evidence supporting the charges he made against the SGPC administration. "He failed to provide any proof," Dhami said.
He added, "Giani Raghbir Singh recently held a press conference making allegations against the SGPC, thereby maligning the institution. As per the EC's February 19 decision, he was served a 72-hour notice to present evidence, but none was submitted. Instead, he continued to disregard service rules and again questioned the SGPC's administrative functioning."The EC noted that by going to the media and making such statements, he not only violated SGPC service regulations but also undermined the dignity of the office of head granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib. It was further observed that he performed his morning and evening duties only minimally, which did not do justice to the responsibility of the post. In view of these factors, the committee unanimously decided to retire him.Dhami also questioned the government's decision to alter the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the missing saroops case, saying Sikh officers should have been included as directed by the Akal Takht jathedar. On the land case of Gurdwara Sri Amb Sahib, Mohali, he said that despite an FIR, the police response had been disappointing.