SGPC Objects to Punjab SIT Actions in 328 Guru Granth Sahib Saroops Case

Amritsar : Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has expressed serious objections to the performance of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Punjab government in the matter of 328 holy Saroops, saying that the SIT is going beyond its jurisdiction and is unnecessarily interfering in the internal and administrative matters of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
He said in clear words that in the name of investigation, an attempt is being made to damage the constitutional entity of the leading religious body of the Sikhs, which cannot be accepted under any circumstances.
Advocate Dhami said that the SGPC has cooperated with the investigation team with full sincerity and transparency from the very beginning. He said that keeping in mind the orders of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the SIT was provided with all the necessary information and assistance, but it is a matter of regret that instead of understanding this cooperation, the SIT has made the administrative and internal affairs of the SGPC a part of its agenda.
He said that the SIT is continuously seeking information that has no connection whatsoever with the case of 328 holy images.
The SGPC President objected and said that it is not within the jurisdiction of the SIT to demand the financial accounts, bank transactions and overall financial details of the SGPC. He said that sometimes the SIT is trying to collect information about the accounts by sending its representatives to the banks and sometimes detailed financial details are being sought through letters.
Now the SIT has also sought details of the agreements made with private channels ETC and Zee Next Media regarding Gurbani Kirtan over the past long period, which have no connection with the 328 holy forms.
Even the information that has already been given to the SIT is being repeatedly sent letters requesting information.
All this is being done outside the original purpose of the investigation. The investigation team’s questions and the information being sought arbitrarily indicate that it is working under some other agenda, away from the real investigation.
Advocate Dhami said that it seems that the Punjab government is trying to target the constitutional rights of the apex body of Sikhs through the SIT.
He said that this is not just a matter of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, but a sensitive issue related to the autonomy and rights of Sikh institutions. He said that the SIT should not go beyond its powers and should be limited to the investigation of only 328 holy forms.