A court in Mohali has granted an extension to the police custody of two former auditors of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). The duo is under investigation for their alleged involvement in a significant financial embezzlement case amounting to Rs 1.56 crore.
Court Grants Extended Remand for Deeper Probe
The judicial magistrate (first class) in Mohali ruled in favor of the police's request, allowing them to keep the accused in custody for an additional two days. This extension, granted on Saturday, is intended to enable investigators to conduct a more thorough interrogation. The police argued that they needed more time to unravel the complete network involved in the scam and to recover crucial evidence related to the misappropriated funds.
The former auditors, identified as Jaspal Singh and Balwinder Singh, were initially arrested and remanded to police custody. The fresh order means their remand will now continue until Monday, March 4. The case revolves around allegations that they, along with other accused individuals, siphoned off money meant for the construction of a gurdwara in Himachal Pradesh.
Details of the SGPC Embezzlement Allegations
The financial irregularities came to light following an internal audit by the SGPC, which is the apex religious body of the Sikhs. It was discovered that a substantial sum of Rs 1.56 crore, allocated for the construction of Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in the Paonta Sahib area of Himachal Pradesh, had been misappropriated.
The police investigation suggests a conspiracy involving the former auditors and other officials. They are accused of creating fake documents and bills to justify the withdrawal of funds, which were then allegedly diverted for personal use instead of being used for the intended construction work. The initial FIR was registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to cheating, criminal conspiracy, and breach of trust.
Ongoing Investigation and Wider Implications
With the extended remand, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Punjab Police is expected to delve deeper into the money trail and identify all beneficiaries of the scam. Investigators are focusing on gathering digital evidence, bank transaction records, and statements from witnesses and co-accused.
This case has sent shockwaves through the Sikh religious administration, raising serious questions about financial oversight and governance within the powerful committee. The SGPC's proactive role in conducting the internal audit and filing the police complaint is seen as a step towards accountability. The outcome of this police investigation is being closely watched, as it could lead to further arrests and significant reforms in the financial management protocols of religious institutions.
The next hearing is scheduled for Monday, where the police may seek further judicial custody or the court may consider bail applications based on the progress made during the extended remand period.
