328 missing Saroops: Spotlight back on ex-SGPC chief secretary against whom panel recommended criminal case

Submitted to the Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the report highlights alleged failures by Roop Singh at multiple levels and recommends that a criminal case be pursued against him, along with departmental action. However, Singh did not face any consequences.

“The SGPC had dismissed a few employees who used to work under Roop Singh. Their funds were also confiscated. However, he was allowed to resign and withdraw his funds (usually released at the end of service). He faced no heat,” alleged Sarabjit Singh Verka, a lawyer whose complaint led to the formation of the Ishar Singh Commission in 2020.

After then acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh ordered an inquiry on July 17, 2020, advocate Ishar Singh and assistants Harpreet Kaur and CA Harleen Kaur scrutinised records from April 1, 2013, to May 31, 2020. The report was submitted in August 2020.

Asked how Roop Singh escaped action, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said, “He had resigned. His service was still pending. It was also a kind of punishment.”

Last month, the Punjab Police booked 16 people, including Roop Singh, in the missing Saroops case. He is reportedly staying abroad.

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What the report said about Roop Singh

The Commission report accused Roop Singh of overpaying chartered accountant Satinder Singh Kohli, who is in police custody, for partial work, such as stalled online accounting, which could have helped curb embezzlement.

“Satinder Singh Kohli, chartered accountant, had performed only one out of the four tasks assigned to him. Yet, he continued to receive fees for all four tasks. One of these tasks involved the online computerisation of money accounts as well. If the online computerisation had been done on time, this embezzlement would not have occurred. It was Dr Roop Singh’s responsibility as principal secretary to ensure complete work from the chartered accountant,” the report stated.

“The money given to the chartered accountant had been offered to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by the congregations with folded hands. Dr Roop Singh irresponsibly handed over this money to Satinder Singh Kohli. The principal secretary of the Shiromani committee is the main culprit in providing excess money to S. Satinder Singh Kohli. Therefore, departmental and criminal proceedings should be initiated against them,” it added.

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The report highlights that the sacrilege incidents at Behbal Kalan and Bargari in 2015-16 had led to SGPC directives to install CCTVs at all gurdwaras housing the Guru Granth Sahib. However, it adds, during his tenure as publications secretary from November 19, 2015, to May 16, 2016—including the May 19 fire where several Saroops were destroyed—Roop Singh did not oversee CCTV upgrades at vital sites, like Bir publication areas.

“The inquiry commission checked at Gurdwara Sri Ramsar Sahib and found that no CCTV cameras were installed where Birs are installed after preparation, nor where they are prepared for publication. The commission holds Dr Roop Singh, current chief secretary, and other relevant officials responsible for this lapse,” the Commission report stated.

Grilled on the CCTV status, Roop Singh allegedly evaded the question, stating that only the “relevant department’s then-current officials/employees” could provide the information. “Action is taken/implemented by relevant departmental officials in light of the resolution,” he allegedly told the Commission.

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The report condemned this as passing the buck. “If such a response comes from the chief secretary, one can imagine the state of other employees and officials. This indicates how the institution’s chief secretary shirks responsibilities and tries to appear innocent in public eyes,” the report noted.

Roop Singh blamed his predecessor, Harcharan Singh, and departments, noting a sub-committee’s recommendations for a secure building, fire systems, smoke sensors, and modern binding—yet claiming details lie in files. “Information on actions taken in this regard can be obtained from office files,” he allegedly told the commission. The report branded responses as “highly irresponsible”.

“It was also his responsibility as current chief secretary to provide the Inquiry Commission with the count and serial numbers of Birs damaged in the May 19, 2016, fire, but despite written requests, no information was provided,” the report further added.