The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Wednesday, September 20, 2000,
Chandigarh, India

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‘Sarbat Khalsa’ to be convened
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Sept 19 — In a significant move, Bhai Ranjit Singh, a former Jathedar Akal Takht, has announced that he would convene a “Sarbat Khalsa” to claim the post of Jathedar with the support of the “sangat” in the near future.

Talking to mediapersons after a long gap, Bhai Ranjit Singh claimed he was still Jathedar of Akal Takht and the “sangat” had not accepted Giani Puran Singh and Giani Joginder Singh as Jathedars.

Bhai Ranjit Singh said he would actively campaign in favour of Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, candidate of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, during the Sunam byelection. He claimed the “sangat” would reject the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal as it had “denigrated” the Akal Takht and other Sikh institutions.

Bhai Ranjit Singh denied he had reached a “secret understanding” with Mr Avtar Singh Hit, President, Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee. He said he had never met Mr Hit and got any gurdwara manager transferred as published in a section of the press.

He said a Jalandhar-based newspaper and its editor had been purposely tarnishing his image. He said he would address election rallies in various parts of Sunam.

Bhai Ranjit Singh alleged that the kin of some senior Akali leaders had indulged in serious crimes, including rape. He appealed to the “sangat” to defeat Mr Paramjit Singh Dhindsa, candidate of the ruling party, in the Sunam byelection.

SGPC cash register sealed
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Sept 19 — Mr Balbir Singh Pannu, Senior Vice-President, SGPC, today sealed the office, cash register and chest of the cashier of the SGPC following allegations of “pilferage” of cash to the tune of Rs 2 lakh.

Mr P.S. Josh, a senior SGPC member of the ruling party and members of the flying squad were present when the cashier’s room was sealed. Mr Pannu alleged that the cash was “pilfered” by an SGPC member at the behest of senior functionaries of the SGPC.

However, Mr Kashmir Singh Gandiwind, an SGPC member and Mr Harjit Singh, personal assistant to the SGPC chief, denied that the cash was “pilfered”. Mr Harjit Singh refuted charges that he had pressurised anybody for “misappropriation” of the cash.

Mr Pannu, sat in the office of the cashier from 3.30 p.m. to 7 p.m, but the chief cashier did not turn up for giving details about the cash. Mr Pannu and Mr Josh put their signatures on the cash register. Mr Pannu took away the keys of the office of the cashier which was locked in the presence of Mr Harjit Singh, Mr Dalmegh Singh, Assistant Secretary, and members of the task force.