M A I N   N E W S

SGPC Secy restrained
Setback to Bibi Jagir Kaur
From Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Jan 13 — The Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission today restrained Dr Gurbachan Singh Bachan, the newly appointed Secretary of the SGPC, from functioning. Dr Bachan is a close confidant of the SGPC Chief, Bibi Jagir Kaur.

He had replaced Mr Kulwant Singh.

The commission also restrained Mr Hardeep Singh, Chief Adviser (Property), from functioning. When contacted, Dr Bachan said he would move the commission for reversing the decision. He, however, said the SGPC had terminated the services of Mr Hardeep Singh as he had completed the assignment given to him.

However, according to sources, the Chief Adviser had resigned due to “certain reasons”.

The orders on restraining Dr Bachan and Mr Hardeep Singh as Secretary and Chief Adviser (Property), respectively, were passed by Mr Manmohan Singh Brar, Chairman, Mr A.S. Randhawa and Mr Ajwant Singh Mann, members of the judicial commission, on a petition filed by Mr Jaspal Singh Dhillon, district president of the Sarb Hind Youth Akali Dal (Urban) under Section 142 of the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925.

The order of the commission reads: “Notice sent to respondent number three, Mr Hardeep Singh, has not been received back.

Fresh notice be issued on the payment of process fee through registered cover for February 7”.

A reply on behalf of Bibi Jagir Kaur and Dr Bachan could not be filed. Counsel for the SGPC chief and Dr Bachan requested for adjournment which was allowed. The next date for hearing has been fixed for February 7.

The petitioner had pleaded that the appointments of Dr Bachan and Mr Hardeep Singh were against the rules and constitution of the SGPC.