In a decision that may have far-reaching implications on Panthic politics, the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission today ordered the removal of Bibi Jagir Kaur as Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief.Holding her guilty of ‘‘arbitrarily sanctioning’’ fee concessions for children of ‘‘influential politicians’’ at an SGPC-run medical institute, the panel also barred her from contesting SGPC elections for five years. She was ordered to deposit a fine of Rs 2.55 crore in the SGPC treasury.Hearing a petition filed by Narinderpal Singh, the three-member bench — comprising president Kashmir Singh Patti, Amrik Singh Randhawa and Ajwant Singh Mann — expressed surprise over the way Kaur sanctioned fee concessions for seven students at Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences at Valla, near here.‘‘The students who benefited from Bibi’s largesse were children of former Akali ministers, MLAs and SGPC members,’’ Patti said, delivering the order.The Commission, however, dismissed the charges against the other co-accused, including former SGPC presidents Jagdev Singh Talwandi, Kirpal Singh Badungar, former SGPC secretary Gurbachan Singh Bachan and present secretary Harbeant Singh.In the case filed three years ago, the petitioner had alleged that some students who were admitted to the SGPC-run medical college under the NRI quota belonged to rich families but their fee of Rs 35 lakh each had been waived by the Bibi during her previous stint as SGPC chief.The commission ordered the Bibi to deposit Rs 2.55 crore along with 9 pc interest in the SGPC treasury to make up for the loss caused by the waiver. ‘‘She is removed from the SGPC membership and, consequently, from the post of president,’’ said the order.Relatives or children of former Akali ministers Sucha Singh Langah and Rattan Singh Ajnala, Akali MP Zora Singh Mann, former SGPC acting president Alwinderpal Singh Pakhoke and SGPC member Yodh Singh were among those who were granted the concession, said the petition.Patti said the SGPC educational institutions run on the offerings of devotees which can’t be used to benefit the rich. The concessions were granted to students between 1993 and 2003. The students admitted to MBBS or BDS courses under the NRI quota have to pay around Rs 35 lakh.I’ll move court: BibiCalling the order politically motivated, Bibi Jagir Kaur said: ‘‘It’s a malicious decision dictated by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and I will challenge it in High Court.’’ She said she had been the ‘‘victim’’ of such decisions in the past, too, and was forced to knock at the doors of the HC. Expressing surprise at the clean chit given to the co-accused, she said: ‘‘The decision on fee waiver was taken during one of the meetings of the educational trust and not by me individually.’’
