Sri Amritsar-Sri Akal Takht Sahib has summoned Jatinder Singh Sachdeva, a resident of New York, USA, directing him to appear in person before its Secretariat by December 10, 2026, for establishing an unauthorised printing press in the USA to print and distribute the sacred saroops (scriptures) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib among the sangat (community members) in violation of the directives issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the highest temporal and spiritual Sikh authority.
The decision was taken on the directions of Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, following written complaints submitted by members of the Sikh sangat from abroad.
According to information received by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Jatinder Singh Sachdeva has been printing and distributing the sacred saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib under the name of an organisation called Ghar Ghar Andar Dharamsaal, without the requisite authorisation.
In an order issued by the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib on Wednesday, it was stated that, according to the Hukamnama (directive) issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib on May 9, 1998, the authority to publish and print the sacred saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib rests solely with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Sri Amritsar, as the representative body of the Sikh community.
The order stated that Jatinder Singh Sachdeva was printing the sacred saroops at his own discretion, which amounted to a violation of the directives of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and an act that could create divisions within the community.
Accordingly, Jatinder Singh Sachdeva has been directed to immediately stop printing the sacred saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. He has also been asked to bring complete records of all the saroops published and printed by him so far and appear personally before the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib by December 10, 2026.
Written explanations sought from six others
In a separate order related to the same matter, Sri Akal Takht Sahib has sought written explanations within 15 days from six USA-based individuals — Baba Sajjan Singh, Giani Bhupinder Singh, Jatinder Singh, Harbans Singh, Harcharan Singh and Gurdev Singh.
The order stated that written complaints had been received from Sikh congregations in India and abroad that these individuals visited Jatinder Singh Sachdeva and, by assuming authority on their own, praised his unauthorised printing of the sacred saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, despite being fully aware that the SGPC, solely holds the authority to print and publish the sacred saroops.
The individuals have been asked to submit their written explanations to the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib within 15 days regarding their involvement in the matter, in accordance with the directions of the Jathedar.