Seven Individuals Booked for Alleged SGPC Land Fraud in Mohali
The Sohana police in Mohali have taken decisive action by booking seven accused persons under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for their alleged involvement in a serious case of fraud. The individuals are accused of selling a 44-marla plot of land belonging to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) through the use of a fabricated authority letter.
Details of the Alleged Fraudulent Sale
According to official reports, the land in question is associated with Gurdwara Amb Sahib located in Mohali. The police investigation revealed that the sale of this property fetched a substantial sum of Rs 1.32 crore, which was received via cheques from various banks. It is alleged that the entire amount was misappropriated, resulting in a significant financial loss to the SGPC, the apex religious body of Sikhs responsible for managing gurdwaras.
The complaint in this matter was formally submitted by SGPC secretary Partap Singh to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Mohali. The document outlines how the accused conspired to prepare a forged authority letter dated October 15, 2025, which carried fake signatures of the secretary. Based on this counterfeit document, the land was reportedly registered on December 2, 2025.
Identification of the Accused and Their Roles
The police have identified the seven accused as follows:
- Rajinder Singh, a resident of Sector 44A in Chandigarh, who was serving as the manager of Gurdwara Amb Sahib at the time and is alleged to have masterminded the conspiracy.
- Gurinder Singh, Talwinder Singh, Satveer Singh, Baljinder Singh, and Jaswant Singh, all residents of IT City in Mohali.
- Jagtar Singh, a resident of Gurdwara Amb Sahib, Sector 62 in Mohali.
Investigations have further uncovered that some of the accused signed the registry as witnesses despite allegedly being aware that the documents were forged. This indicates a coordinated effort to legitimize the fraudulent transaction.
Legal and Regulatory Violations
The case highlights a clear violation of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, which mandates that prior approval from the SGPC Executive Committee is essential for the sale of any property belonging to a notified gurdwara. In this instance, no such approval was ever obtained, making the sale illegal from the outset.
The Sohana police have registered the case under specific sections of the BNS, including 318(4), 336(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2), and 61(2). These sections pertain to offenses related to forgery, cheating, and criminal conspiracy, reflecting the gravity of the allegations.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Steps
Authorities have confirmed that the investigation is currently underway, with the role of each accused being examined in meticulous detail. The police are working to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy and ensure that all those involved are held accountable under the law.
This incident underscores the importance of stringent verification processes in property transactions, especially when dealing with religious and community assets. The SGPC, as a revered institution, has emphasized the need for vigilance to prevent such fraudulent activities in the future.
