High Court stays removal of Winner Singh from Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee

Saurabh Malik

Chandigarh, April 4

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has stayed proceedings regarding the removal of Winner Singh as a member of Haryana Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee’s executive board.

Taking up the petition, Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj of the high court also issued notice of motion to the State of Haryana and other respondents before fixing August 28 as the next date of hearing in the matter.

“The proceedings dated March 28 in relation to removal of the petitioner from the post of member of executive board of the Haryana Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee shall remain stayed till the next date of hearing,” Justice Bhardwaj asserted.

The direction came in response to Winner Singh’s petition challenging his removal during the meeting dated March 28 convened for the budget session of 2024-25.

Appearing on his behalf, senior counsel Anmol Rattan Sidhu argued that the removal violated the provisions of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Act, 2014, which specified that an executive board member could not be removed from office without a resolution passed by a two-third majority of the General House.

The resolution for the purpose was required to be moved by not less than 15 committee members, preceded by a 15-day notice showing the intention to move the resolution.

Sidhu emphasized that such notice was not given in the case. As such, there was gross violation of the mandatory requirement/provision.

Justice Bhardwaj’s Bench was also told that the respondent-State had not yet notified the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission, as required under the provisions of the Act.

Responding to the plea, Haryana Additional Advocate-General Vivek Saini accepted the notice on the State’s behalf and requested time to complete instructions and file a response if necessary.

Upon consideration, the court adjourned the matter before issuing the directions.