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Badal govt chucks out SGJC chief it
found inconvenient
WSN Network
AMRITSAR:
Finally,
the Akali Dal government and the party has gotten rid of the
inconvenient Chairperson of the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission (SGJC)
Kashmir Singh Patti. This is the second time that Patti has seen
Badal government going after him. Patti was nominated member of the
commission by the Amarinder Singh government.
He resigned in
protest after it became clear that the state government was planning
to ensure his exit by first instituting an inquiry against him and
then finding ways to get rid of him after indicting him.
Earlier, Patti,
nominated a member of the SGJC in 1989 during the Governor rule,
was removed by the Badal government on January 3, 1999.
Many ruling
Akali Dal leaders and SGPC members are embroiled in cases in the
SGJC and Patti's removal is aimed at easing the pressure on these
worthies. A new man in the hot seat will be chosen with the aim of
bringing these cases to an end.
The state
government had earlier issued a show cause notice to Patti after
informing him that an inquiry by an IAS officer has indicted him. In
the notice, served on Patti, Chief Secretary RI Singh directed him
to submit his reply within five days.
SGPC member
Manjit Singh Calcutta, Dal Khalsa leader Kanwarpal Singh Bittu and
Damdami Taksal's Mohkam Singh have said this was political
interference by the ruling alliance in Sikh matters to gain full
control.
"SAD has already
been controlling the SGPC and Akal Takht, but Patti has been removed
to get control of the SGJC, too. As it is a judicial body that can
look into violation of norms by the SGPC executive and members,
this would allow the ruling party to embezzle SGPC funds with
impunity," Calcutta said.
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From a report in The
Tribune
“In his
confidential report, submitted to the chief secretary, Brar,
inquiry officer, stated in the report that he had visited
Amritsar, along with Dipinder Singh, presiding officer, on April
25 and spoken to SGPC officials and other persons in the
information office to have first-hand impression of the
situation. The report alleged, “It was revealed to us that the
president of the SGJC is not conducting himself in a manner
expected of the president of an august body”.
“The report
alleged that Patti conspired with some persons, including sacked
additional secretary, SGPC, and would instigate them into
filing frivolous cases against the SGPC and dragged it into
avoidable embarrassment to suit the personal and political
interests of such persons . “The report also accused Patti of
passing interim orders restraining elected members of the SGPC
from casting their votes in the elections of the SGPC. It stated
that an allegation was made that Sucha Singh Langah, a member
of the SGPC (now minister), had organized 100 Ramayana paths in
violation of the Sikh code of conduct. |
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The CS in his
notice said the state government had received complaints from
Harbeant Singh, secretary, SGPC, Dayal Singh, former deputy
secretary, and Didar Singh of Batala leveling serious allegations
regarding his conduct, partiality, judicial propriety and
overstepping of jurisdiction. He further stated that senior IAS
officer S.S. Brar, financial commissioner, Excise and Taxation, was
appointed look into these allegations.
He added that
"most of the allegations" had been proved against Patti and he could
be removed from the membership/chairmanship of the SGJC.
Interestingly,
Harbeant himself was removed as secretary, SGPC, on charges of
getting job on "fake matriculation certificate" but was reinstated
later.
21
May,
2008
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