Amritsar-A special meeting of the Executive Committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee was held today at the SGPC headquarters, during which the issue concerning the 72-hour notice served to Giani Raghbir Singh, Head Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, was deliberated.
After detailed and serious discussions, the EC decided to retire Giani Raghbir Singh from service. The decision was taken on the grounds that he failed to produce any evidence within the stipulated time to substantiate the allegations he had made against the SGPC’s administration, and that he repeatedly raised questions on management matters in violation of established rules.
Addressing the media after the meeting, SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami stated that Giani Raghbir Singh had recently held a press conference making allegations against the SGPC, thereby maligning the institution. In line with the SGPC EC’s decision of February 19, he was issued a 72-hour notice to present evidence in support of his claims. However, no evidence was submitted within the given timeframe. Instead, he continued to disregard service rules and again questioned the SGPC’s administrative functioning.
The EC observed that by going to the press and making such statements, Giani Raghbir Singh not only violated SGPC service regulations but also undermined the dignity and sanctity of the highly respected office of Head Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib. It was further noted that he had been performing his morning and evening religious duties at the shrine only minimally, which did not do justice to the responsibility and honour of the post. In view of all these factors, the committee unanimously decided to retire him from service.
During the media interaction, Advocate Dhami also addressed what he termed as a “false narrative” being spread by certain quarters regarding SGPC properties to create confusion among the Sikh sangat. He clarified that the reality was quite the opposite. During his tenure as President, the SGPC has purchased property at a large-scale, while there has also been a substantial increase in the financial deposits of gurdwaras, the SGPC, and its Dharam Prachar Committee.
Providing figures, Advocate Dhami said that between 2020–2021 and 2025–2026, properties worth nearly Rs 111 crore were purchased. During the same period, the combined budgets of gurdwaras increased from Rs 577 crore to Rs 1, 120 crore. He further stated that fixed deposits and other reserves of various gurdwaras rose by about Rs 600 crore in this timeframe. Detailed disclosures regarding the increase in deposits of individual gurdwaras were also shared.
In addition, Advocate Dhami noted that between 2020–2021 and 2025–2026, the SGPC fixed deposits increased by Rs 273.60 crore, while deposits of the Dharam Prachar Committee rose by Rs 121.45 crore. He added that Rs 182 crore was separately allocated during this period for SGPC educational institutions, sourced from SGPC funds as well as from various gurdwaras.
Referring to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, Advocate Dhami said that Rs 5 crore had been earmarked for the commemorations, and due to the devotion of the sangat, this amount is still in deposit with additional funds of Rs 7 lakh. He also emphasized that the current market value of the properties purchased by the SGPC has increased manifold.
The SGPC President reiterated that continuous efforts are being made in the fields of Sikh religious propagation, education, and healthcare. He informed that over the past five years, more than 4 lakh individuals have been initiated into Sikhi through campaigns of Amrit Sanchar, with a further target of 51, 000 by April.
On another issue, Advocate Dhami questioned the state government’s decision to change the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in cases related to the sacred saroops. He alleged that the government’s intent appeared to be purely political, and said that if the SIT had to be changed, Amritdhari officers should have been included in accordance with the directives of the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. He also expressed dissatisfaction with police functioning in the land dispute case of Gurdwara Sri Amb Sahib, stating that despite the registration of an FIR, police action has remained disappointing.
The meeting was attended by SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami; senior vice-president Raghujit Singh Virk; junior vice-president Baldev Singh Kalyan; general secretary Sher Singh Mandwala; chief secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan; members Surjit Singh Garhi, Surjit Singh Tugalwal, Surjit Singh Kang, Bibi Harjinder Kaur, Baldev Singh Qaimpur, Major Singh Dhillon, Mangwinder Singh Khaparkhedi; OSD Satbir Singh Dhami; Secretary Balwinder Singh Kahlwan; Gurinder Singh Mathrewal; personal secretary Shahbaz Singh; and legal advisor Amanbir Singh Siyali, among others.