Amritsar, July 21
Activists of the Shiromani Khalsa Panchayat today submitted ‘concrete’ proof of corruption against Baba Dhanwant Singh, former personal assistant secretary to Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, who is chairman of Noor Vishav Ruhani Charitable Trust.
The panchayat handed over an 18-paged letter with five affidavits to Mr Harbeant Singh, Secretary, SGPC. He received the same on behalf of Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar, SGPC chief.
It is learnt that a village girl was allegedly ‘raped’ by the Baba. The Baba is also facing the charge of consuming ‘liquor’ at his dera.
The panchayat had alleged that the ‘bribe’ was taken by Mr Prithipal Singh Sandhu, the then personal assistant and close relative of Jathedar Vedanti, on his behalf.
It is learnt that one of the close relatives of the Baba, who himself gave the graft money to Mr Sandhu, had given an affidavit in this regard.
The father of the victim accompanied the panchayat activists to depose before the one-member commission headed by Mr Badungar. Mr Charnjit Singh Channi, a member of the panchayat, claimed that the proof submitted in a sealed envelope was enough to force Giani Vedanti to quit as Jathedar, Akal Takht.
Mr Rajinder Singh, convener of the panchayat, alleged that Mr Prithipal Singh Sandhu and Baba Dhanwant Singh had sent legal notices through the same lawyer. This revealed that both had close ties.
The panchayat activists alleged that Baba Dhanwant Singh was awarded a ‘mild tankhah’ (religious punishment) on May 10 for ‘obvious’ reasons.
They said eyewitnesses
would
be produced before the commission whenever sought. They said the statement of Jathedar Vedanti that Mr Badungar would submit the proof to the Sikh clergy on May 22 was ‘unprincipled’ as they had submitted the proof on the commitment that the two High Priests, Jathedar Vedanti and Prof Manjit Singh, who were facing various charges, would not participate in any meeting that would decide the case.Veteran CPI leader Satya Pal Dang has taken serious note of the ‘mild punishment’ given to Baba Dhanwant Singh. “Was it not the moral and legal duty of the Akal Takht Jathedar to report the matter to the police”, he asked.
“Can the jathedar act as a court and award punishment in criminal offences, including such heinous crimes like rape and murder, even if both parties happen to be Sikhs”, he questioned.
