CHANDIGARH – In a landmark ruling that has upended the administrative landscape of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGPC), the Gurdwara Judicial Commission on Friday annulled the body’s ₹104 crore annual budget. The Commission declared all decisions made during the controversial January 7 meeting invalid, citing a failure to meet mandatory quorum requirements.
The verdict marks a significant escalation in the internal power struggle within the HSGPC, effectively freezing major financial operations and reinstating high-profile members who had been ousted by the current leadership.
The Verdict: Procedural Failure
The Commission’s ruling cantered on the strict statutory requirements governing the committee’s decision-making process. According to the verdict, the passage of a budget requires a minimum attendance of 33 members. However, the January 7 meeting, held under the chairmanship of President Jagdish Singh Jhinda, recorded only 28 members in attendance.
Further irregularities were noted regarding land acquisitions:
-
Legal Requirement: Consent from at least 8 members is mandatory for land purchases.
-
The Violation: Approval was obtained from only 7 members during the session.
Citing these “procedural illegalities,” the Commission declared the entire session’s proceedings null and void.
Immediate Consequences and Restraints
The Commission has now placed the HSGPC under strict financial oversight. Moving forward:
-
Spending Freeze: All major financial decisions now require either the approval of the full 49-member committee or explicit permission from the Judicial Commission.
-
Exemptions: Essential “routine expenses,” such as the operation of Langar (community kitchens), are exempted to ensure daily religious services are not disrupted.
-
Reinstatements: The directive to remove Jathedar Baljit Singh Daduwal from the Dharam Committee (Religious Affairs Committee) has been revoked, restoring his standing within the organization.
A House Divided
The ruling has drawn sharply different reactions from the committee’s top brass, illustrating a deep rift in leadership.
Jathedar Baljit Singh Daduwal hailed the decision as a victory for transparency. “The Committee President misled the Sangat (congregation) by passing the budget without fulfilling the quorum requirement,” Daduwal stated. “The Judicial Commission’s verdict now brings the truth to light.”
Conversely, President Jagdish Singh Jhinda struck a defiant tone, refusing to accept the Commission’s authority on the matter. “This verdict runs contrary to democratic processes,” Jhinda said. “The Committee does not accept this decision and will explore all available legal options to challenge it.”
Background of the Dispute
The legal battle began on January 12 when Senior Vice President Gurmeet Singh filed a petition challenging the January 7 proceedings. Advocate Rashpinder Singh Sohi, representing the petitioner, noted that the Commission acted swiftly, issuing notices to all 49 members on January 13 before arriving at Friday’s decisive verdict.
As the HSGPC prepares for a potential legal appeal, the administration of Haryana’s Gurdwaras remains in a state of flux, with its multi-crore budget now back at square one.
Leave a Reply