Ex-SGPC Official Roop Singh Under Spotlight Again for Missing Saroops
The case of 328 missing saroops of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib has returned to public attention. This development focuses renewed scrutiny on a former top Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee official. The official is Roop Singh, who served as chief secretary of the SGPC.
Commission Report Accuses Former Chief Secretary
The Ishar Singh Commission submitted its findings to the Sri Akal Takht Sahib in August 2020. This three-member inquiry panel, headed by Ishar Singh, conducted a thorough investigation. The panel examined records from April 2013 to May 2020.
The commission's report makes serious allegations against Roop Singh. It states he displayed negligence in performing his official duties. The report explicitly recommends pursuing a criminal case against him. It also calls for departmental action.
Despite these strong recommendations, Roop Singh faced no significant consequences. Lawyer Sarabjit Singh Verka highlighted this discrepancy. Verka's original complaint led to the formation of the commission in 2020.
"The SGPC dismissed several employees who worked under Roop Singh," Verka alleged. "Their funds were confiscated. However, Roop Singh was simply allowed to resign. He withdrew his service funds and faced no real heat."
SGPC President's Response on Lack of Action
SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami addressed questions about why Roop Singh escaped action. Dhami stated that Roop Singh had submitted his resignation. His service matters were still pending at that time.
"He had resigned. His service was still pending. It was also a kind of punishment," Dhami said. This explanation has done little to satisfy critics of the process.
Last month, the Punjab Police formally booked sixteen people in connection with the missing saroops. Roop Singh's name appears among those accused. Reports indicate he is currently staying abroad.
Specific Allegations from the Inquiry Report
The commission report details several specific failures attributed to Roop Singh.
Financial Mismanagement with Chartered Accountant:
The report accuses Roop Singh of overpaying chartered accountant Satinder Singh Kohli. Kohli is currently in police custody. He received payment for four assigned tasks but completed only one.
One critical unfinished task involved the online computerisation of money accounts. The commission argues this computerisation could have prevented embezzlement.
"If the online computerisation had been done on time, this embezzlement would not have occurred," the report stated. "It was Dr Roop Singh’s responsibility as principal secretary to ensure complete work from the chartered accountant."
The report describes the money given to the accountant as offerings made by congregations with folded hands. It brands Roop Singh's handling of these funds as irresponsible.
Failure to Install CCTV Cameras:
After sacrilege incidents at Behbal Kalan and Bargari in 2015-16, the SGPC issued directives. These directives mandated CCTV installation at all gurdwaras housing the Guru Granth Sahib.
Roop Singh served as publications secretary from November 2015 to May 2016. This period included a major fire on May 19, 2016, which destroyed several saroops. The commission found that during his tenure, vital sites like Bir publication areas lacked CCTV upgrades.
The inquiry team checked Gurdwara Sri Ramsar Sahib. They found no CCTV cameras installed where Birs are prepared or stored after publication. The commission holds Roop Singh directly responsible for this security lapse.
Evasion and Passing the Buck
When questioned by the commission about the CCTV status, Roop Singh allegedly evaded giving a direct answer. He stated that only officials from the relevant department could provide that information.
"Action is taken or implemented by relevant departmental officials in light of the resolution," he reportedly told the commission.
The commission condemned this response as an attempt to pass the buck. The report notes that such a response from a chief secretary sets a poor example for other employees.
"This indicates how the institution’s chief secretary shirks responsibilities and tries to appear innocent in public eyes," the report noted.
Roop Singh also blamed his predecessor, Harcharan Singh, and other departments. He referenced a sub-committee's recommendations for a secure building and modern systems. However, he claimed details were contained in office files.
The commission branded these responses as "highly irresponsible." It further criticised Roop Singh for failing to provide information about Birs damaged in the May 2016 fire, despite written requests.
The case continues to unfold, keeping the former SGPC chief secretary at the center of a major religious and administrative controversy.
