Sikh leader banned from participating in community activities

The Sikh clergy on Tuesday banned former Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD) chief Charanjit Singh Chadha, alleged to be involved in a sex scandal, from participating in religious, political and educational functions of the community for two years.

The decision was announced by Akal Takht Jathedar Gurbachan Singh here.

Chadha, who appeared at the Akal Takht, the supreme religio-temporal seat of Sikhism, inside the Golden Temple complex here on Tuesday, was forced to resign as CKD President after an alleged objectionable video of him in the company of a woman Principal went viral on the social media. The Principal worked in a school under the CKD aegis, which Chadha headed.

The woman had complained to police that Chadha had forced himself on her, threatening to remove her from her job. She alleged that Chadha's son had threatened her to withdraw her complaint.

Chadha was booked by police last month on charges of outraging the modesty of a woman and criminal intimidation under the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act.

Chadha's son Inderpreet Singh, after the scandal broke out, shot himself with his licensed weapon.

The Chief Khalsa Diwan is a central organisation of various Singh 'sabhas' (religious bodies) spread all over Punjab with a mission to promote aspirations and redress grievances of the Sikh community, settle religious differences and channel Sikh public opinion, the CKD website says.

--IANS

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