SGPC chief to probe land deal during Makkar’s tenure

The order to probe the deal was passed on a complaint by Amritsar-based petitioner Baldev Singh Sirsa. Badungar had replaced Makkar as SGPC chief, and both are reportedly not on good terms.

SGPC, Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission, Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib land deal, sgpc land deal probe, sgpc probe, indian express news, india news

Avtar Singh Makkar

The Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission has ordered a probe into a Rs 2.7 crore land deal for Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib, Ropar, during the tenure of former SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar. The panel has asked incumbent SGPC President Kirpal Singh Badungar to probe the allegations and submit a report in two months.

The order to probe the deal was passed on a complaint by Amritsar-based petitioner Baldev Singh Sirsa. Badungar had replaced Makkar as SGPC chief, and both are reportedly not on good terms. The Commission also issued summon to five SGPC members and five employees, while hearing complaint of and asked them to appear before it on August 19.

Those summoned include SGPC members Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, Raghujit Singh Virk, Kewal Singh Badal, Rajinder Singh Mehta and Nirmal Singh Jallankalan, along with SGPC employees — former manager of the Takht Damdma Sahib Sukhwinder Singh, former assistant manager Harjinder Singh Bhatti, revenue officer Major Singh, Ram Singh and Karamjit Singh. The order restricts the five summoned SGPC employees from performing any duty related to their job profile till next orders.

Sirsa had approached the Commission on August 4 with his complaint after SGPC didn’t reply to legal notice sent by Sirsa to explain the controversial deal. The Commission passed its orders on August 5.

According to Sirsa, then Takht Sri Keshgarh Assistant Manager Harjinder Singh Bhatti’s relatives Darshan Singh, Manpreet Singh, Balwinder Kaur and SGPC employee Karamjit Singh purchased 3938 square feet of land at Rs 70 Lakh on June 26, 2013.

The plot was opposite Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib. The SGPC executive committee headed by then President Avtar Singh Makkar passed a resolution to form a sub-committee to buy this land on December 16, 2013. Five SGPC members summoned by Commission were part of sub-committee. Following this resolution, land was sold to Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib at Rs 2.7 crore on April 4, 2014.

“At that time market rate of the purchased land was not more than Rs 50 lakh, but sub-committee cleared the deal for Rs 2.7 crore. It is clear that then SGPC leadership was involved in it,” alleged Sirsa.

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The sub-committee also failed to notice alleged conflict of interest in this deal, he said.

For the probe now, SGPC chief Badungar has been asked to set up a fact-finding Committee and submit the report in sealed envelope.

The judicial commission has warned of lodging an FIR with SSP Ropar in case the fact finding committee fails to meet the deadline.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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Avtar Singh Makkar