M A I N   N E W S

Baba of kar seva flees after embezzling donations worth crores
Varinder Walia and Gurbaxpuri

Tarn Taran, July 8
In a shocking but unprecedented case in the history of ‘kar seva’, Amrik Singh of Dera Baba Jagtar Singh today went underground after allegedly embezzling donations worth crores, here today.

The alleged culprit, Amrik Singh who had supervised the kar seva of the Holy Tank of Golden Temple, gold plating of Darbar Sahib, Tarn Taran, and Sikh shrines in Pakistan and had collected huge donations, was kept under captivity for many days in the Dera. However, he fled on the pretext of purchasing medicines from Amritsar.

Baba Jagtar Singh, chief of the Dera, said the general power of attorney given to Amrik Singh had been cancelled. The Dera chief has also given public notices, warning the Sikh Sangat against the activities of Amrik Singh.

The district police chief, Mr Parveen Sinha, said a case under various sections including 420 of the Indian Penal Code was being registered against Amrik Singh on the complaint of Baba Jagtar Singh. Mr Sinha said some relatives of Amrik Singh were also involved in the embezzlement of kar seva funds and a case might be registered against them after the probe.

Amrik Singh had succeeded in securing multiple visa for Pakistan to carry out ‘kar seva’ of Sikh shrines in Pakistan. He had supervised the construction of ‘Golden Palanquin’ taken to Pakistan by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. Mr Manmohan Singh Khalsa, a senior leader of the Dal Khalsa while talking to The Tribune from UK alleged that the visa of Amrik Singh was not extended by Pakistan as he was suspected to be an agent of Indian Intelligence agencies. He alleged that telephone numbers of senior police officers of India were found in the personal diary of Amrik Singh. Mr Khalsa alleged that Amrik Singh had purchased luxury vehicles in Pakistan.

Addressing a Press conference, here today, Baba Jagtar Singh said Amrik Singh had purchased about seven acres land in Hoshiarpur district in his own name recently. A scorpio vehicle was purchased in the name of his relative. Baba Jagtar Singh alleged that Amrik Singh had embezzled funds worth crores by purchasing ‘Benami’ land.

Though Amrik Singh was held responsible for the disappearance of one gold and three spades during the kar seva of the Sarover of Golden Temple, a couple of years ago, no action was taken against him. He had also developed deep roots among senior officials of the SGPC and the state government. He had recently met Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister.

Amrik Singh, who is only 38, had joined the Dera of Baba Jagtar Singh at the age of 17. He had won the confidence of senior Sikh Sants and was brought to Tarn Taran, the headquarter of kar seva. Since he was found ‘worldly smart’, he was given general power of attorney in July, 1998. He had visited many developed countries, including USA, with a view to collecting donations. However, recently, he developed sharp differences with Baba Jagtar Singh when his activities were found suspicious. He was under observation for the last about six months and all his activities were being monitored closely.